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CONFIDEMAT AL
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anxiety to secure further concrete concessions on the question of "compensation" and a time-limit for the removal of the wire on
fields farmed by C.T. peasants.
5.
Throughout the discussions the Chinese side naturally maintaine that the entire responsibility for border tension rested on the British. They sought to inhibit the British side from frankly expressing its views on the origins of the border troubles by displays of anger, by threatening to sidetrack the discussions into sterile recriminations or by raising the general question of disturbances in Hong Kong. This tactic was bound to pay dividerds given the natural desire for the British side to keep down tension at the meetings. It also helped the Chinese to control and manipulate at will the temperature of the discussions,
6. Another Chinese technique appeared to be the interminable repetition of their views and demands in almost identical language, thus forcing the British frequently to redefine their standpoint, revealing wenfor flexible points in their position, in order to avoid decdlock, By this means, and by constant requests for the clarification of the British side's views and intentions, the Chinese sought to force is to shift our ground without corresponding movement on their side. They also sought to divide the ranks of the Fritish delegation by appealing to different members in turn as
The tactic having a "better understanding" of the situation.
failed.
7. Recurrent accusations against the British of bad faith (the Chinese began and ended the discussions with such imputations) were clearly designed to put pressure on the British side to demonstrate its sincerity e.g. by showing its hand or undertaking firm
QURE TESTIAL,
/commitments