CONFIDENTIAL
B. U.K./China Relations
The Foreign Secretary sent a message to the Chinese Foreign Minister,
which was delivered on 2 September. Its purpose was to lower the
temperature after the attack on the British Mission in Peking by proposing
discussions on the future of the British and Chinese Missions in Peking
and London. No reply has yet been received.
2.
The initial reaction, at official level, when the message was handed
over, was that an improvement in Anglo-Chinese relations must depend on
our policy in Hong Kong, in particular the acceptance of the Chinese
donands made when the disturbances began in May.
3. The fact that no reply has been received may be encouraging as an
indication that there are doubts in the Chinese leadership about the wisdom
of an outright rejection or a simple re-statement of demands about
Hong Kong. Once compliance with the demands had been made a formal
condition for any improvement in Anglo-Chinese relations it would have been
extremely difficult to make progress, since we could not have complied nor
could the Chinese have backed down.
4. There has been a slight improvement in the position in Peking.
Partial wireless communications have been restored and British couriers
have visited China without incident. It is likely that some repairs to
buildings will be possible though we shall have to pay for then. As regards
staff, there has been no response to requests for exit visas for women and
children or for ten persons requiring medical attention.
children on holiday have, however, boon allowed to leave.
Lovenent on members of the Mission remain very stringent.
5.
Five school-
Restrictions on
Preliminary consideration has been given to the possibility of putting
pressure on the Chinese by curtailing trade or freezing Chinese sterling
balances in London. Both courses prosent greet difficulties and are
unlikely to be effective.
Other possible measures seen equally
CONFIDENTIAL
/unpromising.