CONFIDENTIAL
4. THESE CHARTER APPLICATIONS MAY BE A CHINESE MOVE TO DISASSOCIATE THEMSELVES FROM THE IDEA THAT REGULAR SERVICES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND POINTS IN CHINA SHOULD BE DEALT WITH BY LONDON. DOT MIGHT WISH TO CONSIDER EXTENDING THE CAAC TOP BEYOND 31 MARCH TO TEST CHINESE REACTION IN RESPECT OF THE TRADE FAIR APPLICATION, AND AVOID PUTTING THE DCA IN A DIFFICULT POSITION.
5. GRATEFUL FOR AN URGENT INDICATION OF THE LINE YOU PROPOSE
TO TAKE,
MACLEHOSE
}
FILES
FED
MAED
HK & GD
MR. BUTLER
MISS BROWN
MR. CORTAZZI
MR.MURRAY
[COPIES SENT TO CAD/DOT]
COPIES TO:
HONG KONG GOVT. OFFICE
SENT BY BAG TO PEKING]
تے
CONFIDENTIAL
A