Present:
CONFIDENTIAL
Record of a Meeting between the Parliamentary Under-Secretary and the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires ad interim at the Foreign Office on 6 September, 1968 at 11.30 a.m.
S23
Parliamentary Under-Secretary
Mr. D. B. Merry
Chinese Chargé d'Affaires
ad interim
Interpreter
Mr. J. D. I. Boyd
Mr. Foley said he was grateful that Mr. Shen P'ing had come at such short notice. He had three points to raise, the first of which concerned the British Mission in Peking. He felt satisfaction that a number of visas had been issued to British staff, in particular Sir D. Hopson. However there remained the cases of Mr. Appleyard, Mr. Hunter and their families. These were diplomatic personnel. Applications for their visas had been outstanding for a considerable time. Mr. Foley wanted to draw attention to the fact that Chinese practice in delaying the granting of visas was in strong contrast to the actions pursued by H.M.G. There was no restriction on the movements of diplomatic personnel of any country in or out of the U.K. Mr. Foley said he must therefore press once again for the issue of outstanding exit visas. Mr. Shen Pling said he would reply very simply. The question of entry and exit visas for personnel of the British and Chinese diplomatic Missions could not be considered in isolation from Hong Kong. Relations between Britain and China had deteriorated and had been abnormal for a considerable time. The Chinese government had nevertheless shown an attitude of restraint. Regarding the issue of visas to British staff, the Chinese authorities had taken positive steps and had informed the British side that they would act according to normal procedures and make their own arrangements for the issue of entry and exit visas. In practice exit visas had been granted and many British personnel had left China. A number of entry visas had also been granted.
2.
Mr. Foley then turned to his second point. He said it was the objective of H.M.G. to maintain correct relations with China. But Mr. Johnston the former Branch Manager of the Chartered Bank in Shanghai had been arrested on 25 August. At the time of his arrest Mr. Johnston had been accused of spying. Mr. Foley said he knew of no basis for this charge. H.M.G. were very disappointed that in spite of repeated requests lodged in Peking no details of charges against Mr. Johnston had been provided and that permission had been refused for a member of the staff of the British Chargé d'Affaires in Peking to visit Shanghai to see Mr. Johnston. Mr. Foley asked Mr. Shen P'ing whether he had any information on the case. Mr. Shen P'ing replied that the former Branch
/Manager,
CONFIDENTIAL
RECUIE IN
13 SEP 0
HWA 3/