CONFIDENTIAL
DSR 11C
SECTION VI:
OPTIONS AND TIMING FOR ARMS SALES AND CIVIE SALES
54. It has been argued in the preceding sections of
this paper that China's likely development in the
remaining years of this century offers both dangers
and opportunities to the West. The balance of advantage
for this country seems clearly to lie in improving political relations with China within the limits imposed
by the very different natures of our two political systems, and in seeking to expand British non-military
exports to China. Our allies would generally agree that a
Western policy on these lines would have long term
benefits for the West in increasing China's ability to
stand up to the Soviet Union and China's interest in
moderating her inclinations to work against Western
interests worldwide.
55. In principle, the same arguments apply to British
military sales to China. The previous two sections of
this paper have, however, identified a number of
constraints on these. Against this background, there
are broadly four options for British policy in relation
to arms sales to the Chinese
(a) to avoid selling those items of defence or
defence related equipment to China which might be
difficult to justify to COCOM, accepting present
COCOM standards and restrictions;
CONFIDENTIAL
(b)
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