CONFIDENTIAL
Life
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i
to take the initiative.
The Permanence of the Revolution
15. In reply to a long statement by Sir Con O'Neill on the Chinese character Sir John said that he thought the Chinese had a tremendous capacity to conform outwardly but that a continuous effort was neces- sary to maintain the momentum of the Revolution. However, a whole generation now had the Revolution in their blood and thought processes, although no-one would be able to inspire and control another Cultural Revolution in the way that Mao did.
The Recent Anti-Confucian Campaign
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16. Sir John said that he thought the leaders had given a certain amount of latitude as a safety valve for public opinion. He himself had been struck however by the small amount of public attention paid to the posters.
The Sino-Soviet Frontier
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17. Sir John said that even if there was a settlement of frontier is- sues he did not think that that would pave the way for a rapprochement between China and the Soviet Union. The main issue between the two countries was ideological.
Chinese Nuclear Folicy
18.
Finally, referring to Chinese nuclear policy Sir John said that he expected China to continue with its programme of nuclear development, although he did not think this would be extensive. lle did not for ins- tance expect China to go for MIRVS.
3 October 1974
cc: Mr Stuart HKIODV
Mr Wilson Cabinet Office Mr Brewer RD(FE)
Chancery PEKING
Political Adviser HONG KONG
CONFIDENTIAL
J.F.R. Martin
JF R Martin
Far Eastern Department