CONFIDENTIAL
subterfuge, though this is not our conclusion. Just
as our aim must be to discourage reversion by China to
the old isolation, so it is essential that the West
should continue to pursue détente with the Soviet Union
on our terms, not on theirs in the hope that this policy
will lead eventually to a mellowing of Soviet attitudes-
towards the West, strengthen the vested interests in the
Soviet Union in favour of peaceful cooperation, and
minimise the risk of reversion to a more confrontational
East/West relationship. In seeking to improve
Sino-British relations, we must continue to try to
convince the Russians that this policy is not directed
against their interests, and to ensure that it does not
undermine the overriding requirements of our détente
policy.
6. In the UN context, China's special position creates
both problems and opportunities. I do not see how
the longer term issues of security, disarmament and non-
proliferation and world poverty can be solved without
Chinese involvement; and it is essential that the
Chinese should come to see that their own interests also
require it. The internationalisation of China's policies
is an interest which Britain shares with the West as a
whole.
Today
7. There have been times in the past when Hong Kong has
been an irritant in our relations with China.
there can be very little doubt that the stability of
Hong Kong, the strength of its economy, and the
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