GPS 180 IMMEDIATE
CYPHER CATA
HONG KONG 16083ØZ
CONFIDENTIAL
;
DESKBY FCO 160920Z
DESKBY PEKING 180001Z
CONFIDENTIAL
4. TOP COPY
TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELNO 1169 OF 16 SEPTEMBER 1978
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING,
da
See 17325
FOR MCLAREN (HK AND GD) FROM ACTING POLITICAL ADVISER.
MY TELNO 1102: RELATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA,
'STRY
1. ON FURTHER CONSIDERATION WE DOUBT WHETHER A RECEPTION WITHOUT TOASTS (REFTEL PARA 9) IS A REALISTIC OFTION DESPITE THE LIKELY
PREFERENCE FOR THIS SOLUTION GY EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. THE FORMAT
FOR PAST CHINESE NATIONAL DAY RECEPTIONS HERE HAS BEEN FOR THE
DIRECTOR OF NCN 4 TO TOAST THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, A RECEPTION WITHOUT ANY TOAST WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY BE AN UNACCEPTABLE DOWNGRADING OF THE OCCASION FOR THE CHINESE. THERE
COULD OF COURSE BE NO QUESTION OF THE GOVERNOR ATTENDING A RECEPTION AT WHICH THERE WAS A TOAST TO CHINA BUT NOT TO THE QUEEN WE THEREFORE BELIEVE THERE IS ONLY THE CHOICE: DECLINE OR ACCEPT
ON THE TERMS SUGGESTED. THE GOVERNOR WOULD PREFER TO ACCEPT.
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2. I HAVE DISCUSSED THE GIST OF PARA 1 ABOVE WITH THE GOVERNOR (WHO IS ON BOARD HIS LAUNCH UNTIL LATE THIS EVENING). HE WILL
SEE THE TEXT ON HIS RETURN. IF HE HAS ANY FURTHER COMMENTS WE
SHALL SEND THEM BY 0800Z ON 19 SEPTEMBER.
MACLEHOSE
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MRMURRAY
CONFIDENTIAL