NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
W(B)L 51-7406
CONFIDENTIAL
Тих
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It is believed that the best way to secure
the release of the remaining six British
subjects detained in China is to work for an
overall improvement in Sino/British relations.
(Defensive If specifically asked whether
detained British subjects are hostages for
confrontation prisoners)
Except in the case of Mr. Grey, the
Chinese have never made any specific suggestion
that persons serving sentences in Hong Kong
should be exchanged for British subjects
detained in China.
Relations between China and Hong Kong
The situation in Hong Kong is now back
to normal after the disturbances of 1967. At
the same time, the normal working relationship
between China and Hong Kong, which existed
before 1967, appears to have been resumed.
For our part, we shall continue to foster
normal relations between Hong Kong and China,
and this is very much to the benefit of both
law
sides. At the same time the rele must continue to be maintained in Hong Kong.
Sino/British Relations
Our relations with China have certainly
begun to improve, although so long as British
datained
subjects are incorrectly treated in China
this improvement will inevitably be limited.
Official contacts have nevertheless been
rather more relaxed, while commercial relations
are entering upon a much more active phase.
The Chinese are of course expanding their
foreign trade generally: I am confident that
/we shall
CONILI DENTIAI
The
tital Mlume of China's
froeign trade with durige
and Japan rose from £536 million in 1967
to ₤617 million last year.