Cypher/Cat A
PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Telno 985
31 July, 1967
CONFIDENTIAL
114
CONFIDENTIAL
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 985 of 31 July, Repeated for information to Hong Kong, Rome and POLAD Singapore.
Italian Trade Delegate, Manzella, was summoned to China Council for the Promotion of International Trade at 3 a.m. on Saturday, 29 July, to receive protest at recent incident in Venice in which two Chinese S.Qs. carrying pictures of Mao and political slogans written in Italian, were ordered to remove them by local authorities. Chinese demanded Italians apologise for their actions.
2. Manzella has now been instructed by Rome to reply that Chinese were acting in contravention of Italian law which must be observed by all ships visiting Italian ports, but has not so far been able to obtain interview with the Trade Council.
3.
Italians here say that Chinese ships left Venice without discharging their cargo and leaving 15,000 tons of fertilizer, destined for China, on the quayside.
Please pass to Board of Trade.
Foreign Office pass Rome 2.
Mr. Hopson
Sent 04592 31 July
PA
3.8.67
Recd 07152 31 July
[Repeated as requested]
[Copies sent to Board of Trade]
FO/CO/WH DISTRIBUTION
Far Eastern Dept.
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