GR 239
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FM PEKING 270834Z APR 82
TO IMMEDIATE F C O
TELNO 244 OF 27 APRIL
AND INFO PRIORITY UKMIS NEW YORK
SÁVING INFO HONG KONG.
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1. IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONING FROM REUTERS, THE CHINESE MFA THIS AFTERNOON ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT.
''THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT EXPRESSES ITS CONCERN OVER THE CURRENT TENSION IN THE AREA OF THE MALVINAS ISLANDS. VARIOUS SESSIONS OF THE NON-ALIGNED CONFERENCE HAVE INDICATED TO WHOM THE SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE MALVINAS ISLANDS BELONGS. IT IS REGRETTABLE THAT OWING TO THE ACTION TAKEN AGAINST SOUTH GEORGIA NEW OBSTACLES HAVE OCCURRED IN THE COURSE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES CONCERNED. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HOPES THAT BOTH BRITAIN AND ARGENTINA WILL EXERCISE RESTRAINT AND SETTLE THEIR DISPUTE OVER THE MALVINAS ISLANDS REASONABLY AND PEACEFULLY
THROUGH DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS''.
2. IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS FROM REUTERS, WE HAVE CONFIRMED THAT I HAVE SEEN SENIOR CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS TO PUT THE BRITISH POINT OF VIEW, AND THAT I RECEIVED A NOT UNSYMPATHETIC REPLY.
3. TODAY'S STATEMENT IS LESS HELPFUL THAN ZHANG CANMING'S MILD REACTION YESTERDAY (MY TELNO 243). BUT I PROPOSE TO WAIT UNTIL A SUITABLE OPPORTUNITY OFFERS IN THE NEAR FUTURE BEFORE TAKING IT UP
WITH M.F.A.
CRADOCK
FCO
S AM D
CABINET OFFICE
ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION
FALKLAND ISLANDS
COPIES TO
PS/CHANCELLOR SIR K COUZENS MR LITTLER
MR HAWTIN
MR PERETZ
TREASURY
MR TRENT
SIR M PALLISER CABINET OFFICE
MISS DICKSON (EIP DIVN) D/ENERGY
MR A WILLIAMS RM60
DOWNING STREET WEST
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