CONFIDENTIAL
3.
Hong Kong's policy towards China has been one of "firmness without
provocation"; in particular the Colony is careful not to cause offence,
0.g. by avoiding official contacts with the Nationalist regine in Formosa
and by ensuring, as far as possible, the latter does not use Hong Kong as a
base for its sabotage and intelligence activities against the mainland.
4.
Recreational visits of American warships and troops to Hong Kong have
been a recurring source of friction in relations with China since escalation
of the war in Vietnam. American worships have been visiting Hong Kong
since the end of the Second World War. No warlike facilities are provided.
These visits bring considerable economic benefits to Hong Kong and play a
part in maintaining public norale. Moreover, they help to keep the Chinese
guessing about the American reaction to any attack on Hong Kong. We have
therefore rejected numerous Chinese protests about these visits, while
nevertheless agreeing with the Americans certain "guide lines" restricting
their use of the Colony's facilities. Since "confrontation" started, the
Chinese have not attempted to make an issue of these visits (which have
taken place on nuch the sane scale as before) although they have continued
to refer to them. There is no doubt that they keep a close watch on then
and particularly on any visits by nuclear-powered warships. It so happened
that during September there were more visits than usual by U.S. warships and
this called forth a comment from the New China News Agency which was somewhat
sharper than such comments have been in recent weeks.
Hong Kong Department,
October, 1967.
CONFIDENTIAL