4.
their policy of opposing social imperialism would not change either. Their fundamental policy was to oppose the Soviet Union's launching of a war and to strive to postpone its outbreak. Dr Owen said. that the UK understood this, though there were different perspectives as a result of different geographical and historical circumstances. He did not expect to change Chinese views on this occasion, but he hoped China would not for ever rule out the possibility of a dialogue with the Russians.
He suggested that some time should now be
spent on bilateral issues.
BILATERAL ISSUES
10.
Dr Owen said that the Chinese had long wished to demolish and rebuild one of their Embassy buildings in London. He could now say that the British Government had finally agreed. The Secretary of State for the Environment had agreed the Chinese detailed plans, but he had had to stretch his planning powers to the limit in order to do so.
11.
He in turn wished to make a request for more office accommodation for the Embassy in Peking. This was necessary to cope with the extra work involved in the expansion of our relations, particularly in the fields of education and trade. He would also be grateful if the Chinese would look at the question of access into China, and travel restrictions. We would be happy to abolish restrictions altogether. We were very flexible in our handling of restrictions in London; he himself could not recall an occasion when a request had been refused. He hoped that the Chinese authorities would be equally generous to our staff in Peking. Mr Huang might also have noticed from his reading of the British press that China had good friends among British journalists. These too would welcome more freedom to visit China. The same applied to British academics, who would like to be able to spend periods of up to a year studying in China. Generosity in this area would be a good investment by the Chinese authorities in winning understanding in the UK.
12.
Mr Huang undertook to get in touch with the departments concerned in Peking on the questions of extending the Peking Embassy, of access to areas of China by the Embassy staff and of visits to China by journalists and academics. Dr Owen expressed his thanks for this. Mr Huang added that Mr Cradock would realise that the number of Embassies in Peking had grown from 30 or 40 a few years ago to over 90 today. The building programme could not keep pace with the growth of new Embassies. Nevertheless he took note of Dr Owen's request.
4.
/13.