imetable for consultations at specified levels.
The same idea had been put forward by the French during Mr Ch'iao's visit to France in 1975, and the Chinese had then given the same reply. There were many channels for such exchanges of views. Mr Crosland accepted the Minister's reply on the understanding that Mr Ch'iao himself would be able to visit Britain.in the near future.
Claims
39. This was a complicated question which had first arisen in 1954 when it had been discussed in Geneva between the late Premier Chou En-lai and Sir Anthony Eden (now Lord Avon). Premier Chou had commented at the time that it was very difficult to settle accounts. It would be hard to say whether China was in debt to Britain or whether Britain was in debt to China. There was not much practical use in discussing this problem. As was well known, China's history had at a certain period been very complicated. He did not wish to go into detail but merely to make his views known.
Hong Kong
40. He wished to restate the practical need of the Chinese Government to have a representative mission in Hong Kong. The British attitude hitherto had been that the time was not yet ripe. He wished to raise it again. Mr Crosland said that our view had not changed from that set out in Sir Alec Douglas-Home's aide memoire of 1973. We adhered to the view that the time was not yet ripe for any forward move, although any suggestions by the Chinese would of course be carefully studied.
41. Mr Ch'iao said he hoped that the British authorities in Hong Kong would hold in check the activities of the Chiang Kai-shek clique and of the Soviet Union and its satellites who were using Hong Kong as a base for intelligence and infiltration. The action he suggested would be in accordance with the interests of both sides. Mr Crosland said that the British Government had no intention of tolerating the use of Hong Kong for subversive activities against the Chinese People's Republic. He gave this clear assurance and would stand by it.
Chinese citizens wishing to leave China
42. Mr Crosland reverted to one other bilateral issue, that of Chinese citizens wanting permission to leave China to join their families in the UK. This was not a major issue but one which aroused interest in Parliament in Britain. Mr Ch'iao agreed that HM Ambassador could pursue this at a later date.
43. Mr Crosland thanked Mr Ch'iao for the very interesting and useful talks which they had had. As a newcomer to the office of Foreign Secretary he had been most impressed by the candour of the talks and the friendly atmosphere in which they had been conducted.
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CONFIDENTIAL