289A
En Clair
HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
Telno 164 7 February, 1968
UNCLASSIFIED
RECEIVED IN
ARM
- 8 FEB 1968
HWDS/
Addressed to Feking telegram No.55 of 7 February, Repeated for information to Commonwealth Office.
282) My telegram No.45.
The following message was passed by the Assistant Political Adviser to the new China News Agency on the morning of 7 February:
"I have discussed the question of the 5,000 tons of rice again with the relevant authorities. They tell me that they do not understand what the difficulty is. You asked for facilities for bringing in this rice. We have said that the normal facilities for bringing rice into Hong Kong under the quota are available to you. There is more than adequate room in the quota for the 5,000 tons. This is the only approved method of importing rice. If you have difficulty in understanding the technicalities, perhaps this should be discussed by China Resources Company with the Director of Commerce and Industry. As for the winter clothing, there is nothing new for us to say. The prisoners have adequate winter clothing and any items of clothing presented to them individually will be stored on their behalf until they are released".
2.
The NCNA repeated the point that the rice was a gift and not a commercial consignment. In response it was indicated to them that the quota system was simply a means of bringing rice into Hong Kong, and had no direct relation to the purposes for which the rice was used.
Foreign Office please pass Feking as my telegram No.55.
Sir D.Trench.
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
C.0.
H.K.D.
J.I.P.G.D.
F.0.
News Dept. F.E.D.
88888
[Repeated as requested]
282 318B