isolation after two years of confusion and disorder. The first
tentative steps towards a normalisation of its relations with
the outside world are already taking place.
10. I do not need to tell you that the British Government's
relations with China are strained although there has been some
improvement in recent months following the lifting of restrictions
in August 1968 on the movements of members of our Mission in
Peking but the detention of a number of British subjects by the
Chinese authorities remains a major stumbling block in the way
of a further improvement in our relations.
11.
Despite these difficulties it remains the policy of
Her Majesty's Government to work hard to persuade the Chinese
to normalise their relations with us. We think it important
to break down the barriers between China and the outside world
by expanding contacts with them and encouraging them to become
responsible members of the international community. It follows
that we shall continue to vote in the General Assembly of the
United Nations for the occupation of the China seat by Peking.
We do not underestimate the difficulties this is likely to raise
for the organisation nor the revolutionary intentions of the
Chinese leaders towards the outside world but the alternative
would be to prolong Chinese isolation which we believe is not
in the interests of the world community.
12. I have already mentioned that the withdrawal of all
permanent British garrisons from East of Suez will not include
our garrison in Hong Kong. We are, in fact, taking steps to
ensure that neither the strength nor the effectiveness of that
garrison will be in any way impaired by the fact that after
5.