CONFIDENTIAL
CYPHER/CAT A
IMMEDIATE FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING
TELNO 331
4 APRIL 1968
(FED)
4.29
CONFIDENTIAL.
ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NUMBER 331 OF 4 APRIL REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG (PERSONAL FOR ELLIOTT, POLITICAL ADVISER).
M.I.P.T. i SINO BRITISH RELATIONS.
PERSONAL FOR HOPSON FROM MURRAY.
THE FOLLOWING FACTORS DETERMINED THE TIMING OF THE
NOTE TO THE CHINESE LIFTING THE REQUIREMENT FOR EXIT PERMITS:
(A) THE RECENT ARRESTS, WHICH MUST INEVITABLY BECOME PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE VERY SOON, WILL ADD TO THE GROWING CONCERN IN THIS COUNTRY ABOUT BRITISH SUBJECTS IN DETENTION IN CHINA, FOR PARLIAMENTARY AND PRESS REASONS, IT WAS DECIDED THAT WE MUST TAKE EARLY ACTION WITH THE CHINESE HERE. (PARLIAMENT IS DUE TO RECESS ON 11 APRIL.) THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY HAS ACCORDINGLY SUMMONED THE CHINESE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES FOR TOMORROW TO PROTEST ABOUT THE WITH-
HOLDING OF INFORMATION ABOUT BRITISH SUBJECTS AND THE DENIAL OF CONSULAR ACCESS.
(B) SINCE IT HAD ALREADY BEEN DECIDED TO LIFT THE EXIT PERMIT REQUIREMENT, IT SEEMED DESIRABLE TO DO SO IN ADVANCE OF THIS MEETING SO THAT THE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES COULD BE TOLD THAT WE HAD AMPLY DEMONSTRATED OUR DESIRE TO RETURN TO NORMAL WORKING CONDITIONS
FOR OUR MISSIONS.
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CONFIDENTIAL
/(C)