CONFIDENTIAL
relations were passing through an uncertain phrase. This had more to do with the change of Government in the United Kingdom than with any change in China. The Chinese had liked the previous Government's policies over Europe and East/West relations. Mr Heath's visit could be seen as a lesson by "negative example". But the Chinese had not as yet made any explicit statements. We would expect them to study the Government's policies with care before expressing their views. Recently, however, a Chinese student had asked for political asylum in this country. Mr Evans outlined this case and described the Chinese reaction. Mr Wilford said that the Chinese Ambassador's tone had at no time been sharp, although he had said that he reserved his position to make further representations.
He had not so far done so. Mr Wilford said that he had explained the procedures concerned to the Ambassador, but that it was hard to convince the Chinese that Whitehall was not able to run the country as it pleased. This had also applied over a request by the Chinese to rebuild their Embassy and a demand that we should return several alleged criminals who had escaped from China to Hong Kong.
4.
Mr Hummel said that similar problems had arisen in Sino-US relations, particularly in trade matters. New American regulations on foreign trade which had recently been introduced had affected a steel scrap contract negotiated with China. The Chinese had said that the contract must be honoured regardless of the new law. Similarly, when the Americans warned the Chinese that a Chinese Boeing 707 might be attached on landing in the United States by a private person or company with a claim against China the Chinese had replied that responsibility would rest entirely with the US Government and that relations would suffer. There were also difficulties over some American grain shipments to China and the Chinese request that the Marines stationed at the Liaison Office should be withdrawn. The Marines had behaved well. They had never worn uniform outside the Liaison Office. They were expelled on the excuse that they had issued an invitation to a game of baseball in their name. In fact, even this was untrue. Mr Wilson asked whether the cooler climate in Sino-US relations was a result of these abrasions or of the internal situation in China. Mr Hummel thought it was the latter. The Chinese were institutionalising. Party positions were again being filled. This meant that more consultation had to take place before decisions could be made. It would be harder now for Dr Kissinger to be invited to China. The campaign against Confucius and Lin Piao had also had an effect. The case of the Marines was an example. It had first been raised in September 1973. The Americans had said that withdrawal of the Marines would have a very bad effect on relations and in November the Chinese had virtually told Dr Kissinger that they could stay. Mr Hummel thought that the anti-Confucius campaign had forced the Chinese to press for their withdrawal.
Mr Evans turned to the question of the succession to Mao and Chou, drawing on recent reports from Sir John Addis.
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Mr Hummel said that the Americans shared British views on the Chinese internal situation. Mr Ingersoll said that he thought (and Mr Bruce agreed) that Chou En-lai and Chiang Ch'ing were closer than
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