Cypher/Cat A
CONFIDENTIAL
HKD
272
IMMEDIATI
Ino 74
IFIDENTIAL
PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
25 January 1968
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 74 of 25 January. Repeated for information to Hong Kong.
1
My immediately preceding telegrams.
We now have a clear opening to settle the visa question for the staff of this Mission on a purely bilateral basis (i.e. not bringing in Hong Kong) and on all our reasonable terms (i.e. a reversion to pre- August arrangements). I recommend most strongly that we take this opportunity and settle at once.
2. As regards exit visas at the moment we have, as predicted in my telegram No. 3, a deadlock. We have now had the Chinese Government's considered reaction to interview of 2 January with Mr. Ma and we can be sure they will continue to insist on reversion to pre-August treatment and that attempts to make them comply with our exit visa requirements will merely lead to a prolonged stalemate. On the other hand, lifting the requirements would probably do the trick as far as exit visas for our staff are all concerned. Nor, for reasons given below, would it entail any real risks, it would also give the Chinese the sort of face-saving sop which they need before signing-off. I notice that final paragraph of your Note of 23 August refers to possibility of lifting restrictions if the Chinese assured free movement to our officials.
3. I suggest we reply to the Chinese that as proof of our wish to restore normal movement we are prepared to suspend exit visa requirements on the clear understanding that the Chinese would then grant exit visas now and in future without impediment to our officials and that if this was not done situation would have to be re-examined and control re- imposed. I do not know whether suspension would be a legally complicated operation but if, as I hope, the Order in Council simply gives us powers, it should be possible to suspend exit visa requirement as a fairly simple administrative act and without publicity. We would retain powers in reserve. Nevertheless if no other course were possible I would certainly recommend revocation of Order in Council.
4 x Suspension would probably be better than the idea of granting visas or endorsing passports at airport as suggested in my telegram No. 3 paragraph 3. It would be administratively easier and more clear-cut. The Chinese might well jib at stamping of their passports with exit visas. If of course the Chinese showed signs of reprisals making a mass exodus without granting us any visas (I think this unlikely and it would soon become apparent) or if they just continued refusing visas to us (again I think unlikely) control would be reimposed and we would be no worse off.
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