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(S DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT)
OPD(67)67
4th September, 1967
COPY NO. 14
1441
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DEFENCE AND OVERSEA POLICY COMMITTEE
RELATIONS WITH CHINA
Memorandum by the Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs
This paper considers what United Kingdom relations with China should be in the light of anti-British activities in China and Hong Kong, culminating in the sacking of the offices and residence of H.M. Chargé d'Affaires, Peking, on the night of 22 August.
Recommendations
2.
(a) We should not take the initiative to break
diplomatic relations with China.
(b) Pritish women and children still in Peking
should be evacuated as soon as possible.
(c) Male members of the staff in Peking should be
withdrawn gradually but we should attempt to replace some of them by other officers, so that the Mission is in a position to function effectively as soon as conditions allow. Το the extent possible and subject to further review, officers proceeding to Peking should be unaccompanied by wives or children.
(a) Unless the situation worsens British business-
men and shipping should not be banned from visiting China but the warning already given them of the possible dangers and of our inability to give them diplomatic or consular protection should stand.
(e)
We should again vote for the admission of China to the United Nations, subject as last year to the "important question" (which means that a two-thirds majority is needed for the resolution to be passed) but we should take no other action (e.g. lobbying) to promote Chinese admission, and our speech on the resolution should reflect the deterioration in Anglo-Chinese relations brought about by recent Chinese actions.
Action already taken
3. We have enlisted the aid of the President of Pakistan, who still maintains good relations with China, for the evacuation of our women and children and for the eventual
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