CONFIDENTIAL
în
11
CR 14/2321/50 III
M
12/12
7 December, 1978,
HKK 173/2
RECEIN
ра
P Cradock Esq CMG
HM Ambassador PEKING
THROUGH TRAIN SERVICE TO CANTON
INDOK
HY
วก.e
No
14/14/
When you were here last week we discussed briefly the question of a through train service to Canton..
2.
We said then that there had been a variety of indications recently that the issue was in the front of the minds of the Chinese and that we might well get a more formal approach soon. The through train was in fact mentioned by Lo Fan-ch'un (Vice Chairman of the Canton Revolutionary Committee) when he called on the Governor on 12 October, the day of the inaugural flight in the Canton Fair series. The Governor's response was that we would gladly discuss the technical details if a through train service would make the journey between here and Canton quicker (Hong Kong telegram No. 1194).
3.
We do not wish to take the initiative in raising the possibility of a through train service at this stage. We would rather let the Chinese make the running, particularly
We at a time when immigration problems are on the increase. do not wish to saddle ourselves with a series of potential difficulties relating to immigration and security unless the Chinese are really keen on a train service and therefore willing to meet our needs on the practical issues. attached "speaking note" which the Governor promised is therefore a defensive one to be used if the Chinese raise the subject with you in Peking. I am also attaching a note giving in a brief form the main considerations which would be in our minds when discussing the details of a service.
4.
The
I am sending a copy of this letter to Richard Samuel in FED and Robin McLaren in HKGD in order to keep them in the picture. We would of course report back if we got a formal approach about a through train service.
(DC Wilson)
CONFIDENTIAL