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4. In obtaining clarification of the Chinese position I pointed that Lo had referred to the proposals made by Cradock on 7 Febru but had not stated whether the Chinese Government were prepared to act on them. In a series of exchanges I emphasised that these pro- posals were in response to Kao's statements of 24 January when Kao said that if the British Government lifted its requirement for exit visas, granted outstanding entry visas and returned to normal in issue of entry visas the Chinese Government would make reciprocal gestures. Was this still the Chinese position or was Lo saying that even if Her Majesty's Government acceded to Kao's demands there would be no reciprocal reaction by the Chinese Government unless the British Government took other measures in Hong Kong.
5. In reply Lo repeated much of his original statement. When pressed he admitted that Kao had made remarks attributed to him but claimed at the same time that Kao had made clear that Hong Kong question was the crux of the problem. Lo emphasised that there could be no solution of various other questions if the Hong Kong problem were brushed aside. I said it was not clear what steps the Chinese Government envisaged as a solution to the Hong Kong problem. Were they referring to the so-called demands of May 1967; did they wish the British Government to make proposals to discuss the question of Hong Kong? Lo repeated that the British Government had still not replied to various demands of the Chinese Government: and the British claim that they had a sincere desire to discuss these problems should be backed up by actual deed. The British Government must reply to the various demands and only after that would it be possible to discuss concrete problems including restoration of normal movement for diplomatic staff, trade, culture etc.
6.
In conclusion I pointed out that I and many members of my staff had been detained in China for over six months. I strongly protested against this gross violation of all international practice which was bound to come to the notice of world opinion which would condemn it. Lo categorically rejected this protest and claimed that it was the actions of the British Government which would be rejected by world opinion.
See my immediately following telegrams.
F.O. pass Hong Kong 115
Singapore
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Washington
48
Sir D. Hopson
[Repeated as requested]
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