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Leora
Mr. Hilford
Sir Leslisonson
CONFIDENTIAL
COVERING SECRET
10
MC with his o
Sir Leslie Monson's visit to Hong Kong
Ecke
p.a.
2
October, 1969: External Affairs
Sir Leslie may care to look at the attached background
papers on developments in China and the Sino-Soviet dispute
on which he will no doubt be expected to express views when
he visits Hong Kong. The papers attached are the briefs
which were prepared for our consultations on China with the
Americans in Washington. The only new development in the
Sino-Soviet dispute has been the Chinese agreement to begin
talks with the Russians on the border problem as foreshadowed
in paragraph 4 of our speaking notes.
2. As regards Sino-British-Hong Kong relations the
position remains as set out in our savingram No. 2 of
22 August. When the dust has settled on the Grey case and
Chinese intentions become clearer towards the twelve British
subjects still detained in China and towards the remaining
'confrontation' prisoners in Hong Kong we shall be reviewing
our tactics. This is a subject which will be discussed with
the Governor of Hong Kong when he is in London. A particular
concern of the Hong Kong Government is the possibility that
the Chinese will now bring pressure to bear on us to release
the Chinese prisoners and Sir Leslie will no doubt hear a
great deal about this when he is in Hong Kong. He might
therefore care to refresh his memory on the pros and cons
/ of the
CONFIDENTIAL
COVERING SECRET