to make a concession on visas on the very day we were taking
a tough line with the Chinese about Grey.
John Denson
(J. B. Denson) 16 January, 1968
Copy to:
Mr. Mallett, P.C.D.
Thi Therry m
Til may
M41. Wilson,
pa.
mus.
W
T
16.
& 14.
37
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7
·
+
CONFIDENTIAL
I hope lotel Ded. That risan should be granted
on 24 january.
RECEIVED IN ¦ARCHIVES No.31
Mr. Wilson
Sir D. Allen
p.a.
1 7 JAN 1968
F222/4
m. Muran
Klzz Jam
Problem
Flag
Flag B
Entry Visas for Members of the Office of the
Chinese Chargé d'Affaires
The Chinese have made their first application for an
entry visa for a member of their London Mission since the
events of 22 August last. He is non-diplomatic.
Sir Donald
Hopson has recommended strongly that we should grant the visa
without specifically tying it to any of our own outstanding
entry or exit visa cases.
Recommendation
2.
I recommend that:
(a) the visa be granted, but after a reasonable
interval;
and
(b) we follow Sir Donald Hopson's suggestion of
taking the opportunity to probe the Chinese on
our own outstanding visa problems but also indicate
that having made this gesture, further progress
must depend on some Chinese response.
A draft telegram to Peking is attached.
Background and Argument
3. Since the events of 22 August when we imposed an exit
visa requirement on members of the Chinese Mission in London
and they retaliated by withdrawing all our outstanding exit
visas in Peking, there have, up to now, been no applications
/by the
CONFIDENTIAL
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2
Flag B
by the Chinese to send new personnel to their Office in
London. They have made applications for entry visas for
officials of the Bank of China and also for members of the
New China News Agency office. We have already suggested to
Peking that they should tell the Chinese that the Bank visas
will be forthcoming providing that conditions improve for
representatives of British banks in Shanghai, e.g. the
granting of entry and exit visas. We have not, however,
granted the N.C.N.A. visas since it would be invidious to do
so at a time when the one British correspondent in Peking is
held, uncharged, under house arrest.
4. We ourselves have two entry visas outstanding for new
members of our Kission in Peking - One is for the replacement
of Mr. Blishen, whom the Chinese allowed to leave, and whom
it is hoped to send as soon as possible. There are also
number of exit visas for members of our Mission which have
still not been granted.
5. The Permanent Under-Secretary has minuted on Peking
telegram No. 31: "I am beginning to worry a little about
the 'mood' of telegrams from Peking. Surely one plays this
game not admittedly by threats, etc. but by a certain amount
of deviousness and dally, follow as expedient, by concessions." Recent
telegrams have certainly tended to emphasise unilateral
concessions and capitulation to Chinese pressure as the best
way forward.
This is understandable in view of the frustrations
of the last four months. But such a policy, apart from being
distasteful, can be dangerous as it may cause the Chinese to
/increase
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· 3-
increase their demands in the belief that we will put up
with anything because of the vulnerability of the Mission
in Peking. This in the end would not benefit the Mission
itself. It was with this in mind that we decided not to
accept the recommendation from Peking that we should acquiesce
in a Chinese breach of the exit visa requirement by allowing
two Chinese officials to leave this country without permission.
In some cases, e.g. visas and facilities for diplomatic
couriers, we have been able to enforce near reciprocity by
means of firmness with the Chinese.
6. The converse danger, however, to which Sir D. Hopson
rightly draws attention is that if we attempt to enforce strict
reciprocity and to make relaxations of our own conditional on specific
prior agreement by the Chinese to similar relaxations,
the we may work ourselves into an impasse as, for example,
Indians have done over the movement of their staff within
China. If this happens we stand to suffer much more than the
Chinese who could sit it out indefinitely in London without
real discomfort. Our decision after careful deliberation to
make a unilateral relaxation over travel restrictions (after
an interval of three months) did pay off, though the Chinese
apparently had second thoughts about exit visas. case, I tend to support
Sir D. Hopson's recommendation that the entry visa be granted. Having
been firm on exit visas, I think the opportunity is now offered for a
concession which
/will
In this
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4
will cost us little. If it produces no results any further applications
can be refused. When we acquaint the Chinese
with our decision, we should accordingly make it clear that this is a
gesture in pursuance of our stated wish to restore free movement to
members of our respective diplomatic missions, but hint very clearly
that further progress in this direction
will depend on Chinese willingness to respond in the matter
of visas for our own staff.
I therefore
7. There remains the question of how soon we should reply.
In line with the Permanent Under-Secretary's comment, I think
it might be a mistake to appear over-eager. suggest that we might think
in terms of granting the visa
about the end of January. If the Chinese raise the question
in the interval, they could be told that it is still under consideration
in London. The exact timing may be influenced
by other considerations, for example any new move we may decide to make
over Mr. Grey, the Reuters correspondent.
have to consult Sir D. Hopson further at a later stage.
Copy to: Mr. Kallett, P.C.D.
I agree, especially
John Denson
(J. B. Denéon) 11 January, 1968
We shall
I support this
Esenis Allen
m. Bootgers on to vister of not king given to Very little so
th. The their de escalation bier be
These to
insecured by a speeding response by
ony-enger.
The Chinese have
is to evidence that to Metention of
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is
LTK III.
11.1.68
Yedayran despate of the
34/
324
Cypher/Cat A
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F
IMMEDIATE PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Telno 46
46 13 January 1968
CONFIDENTIAL
Your telegram No. 48: Entry Visa.
लै
SOGIVED IN ARCHIVES N
15 JAN 1968
35
Fezz/8
I am not (repeat not) happy about proposal to delay issuing unis visa
until the end of the month.
2.
Hsu is not,
A new
We should not (repeat not) appear over-eager by issuing visa next week
1.e. 7 to 10 days after application. repeat not, (as is case with our
two applications) member of the staff but is returning after leave and
normally grant such a visa at once automatically and without reference.
The delay of 7 to 10 days will be enough to show the Chinese that it has
given us cause for reflection.
we would
3. We hope by issuing this visa we shall be able to probe the Chinese
position on Visas generally and perhaps even stimulate some movement. It
is over a month now since present freeze began and a month since the
Biishens left since when we have been deadlocked again. I see no
advantage in waiting another two weeks before taking this action which
we hope will help to break the deadlock.
4. Nor am I in favour of linking timing of this move to any action we
may take over Grey which is in any case more likely to worsen than
improve the atmosphere. Grey's fate is related to prisoners in Hong Kong
not (repeat not) to visa question. The issue of entry visa to Hsu will
get no publicity and could not therefore cause any embarrassment as an
unwarranted concession.
5. For all these reasons I trust you will reconsider matter urgently and
authorise us to act next week say on 17 January.
Sir D. Hopson
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
Far Eastern Dept.
Passport Control Dept.
Personnel Dept.
ADVANCE COPIES SENT:
Seperate subencesion.
p.a. I
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F222/4
34
35
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Cypher/Cat A
PRIORITY FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING
1 ho 48 12 January, 1968
CONFIDENTIAL
(FED)
23
24
Your telegrams Nos. 30 and 31: Entry Visa for Hsu Tan-shu.
We have considered your recommendations very carefully, including the
terms and timing of any communication to the Chinese. We see the force
of the arguments in paragraphs 2 and 3 of your telegram No.31, in
particular the need to avoid a deadlock which could result if we make
our agreement conditional on some specific response by the Chinese. On
the other hand, we think it might be tactically unwise to appear
over-eager to make unilateral concessions. We should therefore prefer to
think in terms of granting the visa about the end of January, the exact
timing might be influenced by any moves we may make in other directions,
e.g., over Gray. We shall be consulting you separately on this. If the
Chinese press for a reply, you can say that the matter is still under
consideration in London and that you will draw our attention again to
the Chinese request.
2. We agree that when the visa is to be granted the Counsellor should
speak as proposed, but we should also wish you to give the Chinese a
very broad hint that further progress is likely to depend on some
response on their part over visas for your staff.
SOSFA
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.E.D.
P.C.D.
Personnel Dept.
88888
CONFIDENTIAL
See
- /s
ра
Registry No. F2 22/4
DEPARTMENT
F.E.D.
* Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should
reach addressee(s)
-
SPHER
Besparch
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION PRIORITY MARKINGS
(Date)
Top Secret
Secrec
Confidential
Unclasified
En Clair.
[
Security classification
CONFIDENTIAL
Code
Cypher
Draft Telegram 103-
PELING
No.
(Date)
[Codeword-if ary]
Addressed to
telegram No.
HP
And to.........
repeated for information to
(date),
.
. ונחי יוריי
1300
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
01168
And 10:-
Saving to
Repeat to:-
Saving to:-
Distribution:-
Departmental:
P.E.D. P.C.D.
Personnel
Coples to:-
NIM
Your telegrams nos. 30 and 31: Entry Visa
for Hau Tan-shu.
+
We have considered your recommendations very
carefully, including the terms and timing of any
communication to the Chinese. We see the force
of the arguments in paragraphs 2 and 3 of your
telegram No. 31, in particular the need to avoid
a deadlock which could result if we make our
agreement conditional on some specific response
by the Chinese On the other hand, we think it
To make unilateral concessions might be tactically unwise to appear
over-eager)
We should therefore prefer to think in terms of
granting the visa about the end of January, the
exact timing might be influenced by any moves we
may make in other directions, e.g. over Grey.
We shall be consulting you separately on this.
If the Chinese press for a reply, you can say that
the matter is still under consideration in London
and that you will draw our attention again to the
Chinese request.
/2.
2.
wish
We agree that when the visa is to be granted the
Counsellor should speak as proposed, but we should also e-
you to give the Chinese a very broad hint that further progress
is likely to depend on some response on their part over visas
for your staff.
(ARPET (T) 3000 10/15 SULL
V L
1
L
L
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
CONFIDENTIAL
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES Ne 31
11 - ... JG8
33
Cypher/Cat A
IMMEDIATE PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
37
Telegram make
CONFIDENTIAL
My telegram No. 31.
FC22/4
11 January, 1968
ງາ
Chinese application for entry visa.
Please add following sub paragraph after paragraph 3 (A).
Begins:
(B)
By trying to do this we shall work ourselves. into a deadlock in which
each side insist other moves first.
Ends.
Sir D. Hopson
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.0.
F.E.D. P.C.D.
DSAO Personnel Dept
ра
ADVANCE COPIES SENT
CONFIDENTIAL
bbbbb
117
страшная которые
T
AMENDMENT SLIP
0.33
AMENDED
GOPY
AMENDED DISTRIBUTION-
Peking
*
tel
egram No.
No.
Y/N of
"%
to F.0./6.0.
F.0./C.0. telegram No.
of
to
China application for entry wins
No of til to be 37
[Delete where not applicable]
Authorised by
Staff Officer Room 129
Date______
Comma Doo
157/1/68
F. E.).
(Mr Wilson)
31)(32
PC, 110
and
119
from Peking
phone
سلام
as requested yesterday by pho
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
10 JAN 1968
FC22/4
gas
هم
13.
PL10/2/1
الا
ду
POD
PCD 16 / 594 14111OZ GRS 30
FROM ROUTINE PEKING
BT
PC 119 DATED 14/11.
I HAVE ADDED AN EXIT CLAUSE TO THE EXISTING MULTIPLE
JOURNEY VISA ISSUED LAST JULY TO HO KE-CHIANG, CHINESE
DIPLOMATIC COURIER ON THE APPROVED LIST.
HOPSON
BT
GR 30
NNNN
PCD
32
02 TOR 300832Z GRS 32
FROM ROUTINE PEKING
T
PC11030
PC 10/2/1
1
(31)
J. dex
AT FOREIGN MINISTRYS REQUEST I HAVE ADDED THE USUAL EXIT CLAUSE X,
TO THE EXISTING UNITED KINGOM VISA OF CHANG KUEI-PU (160) 2710
), CHINSE DIPLOMATIC COURIER ON THE AGREED LIST.
HOPSON
3T
TP AT 300853Z DGP
PCD
'
+
No reply yet from Peking
Bu. I 'week.
Fezalt
Ned for 231,
Ви
CONFIDENTIAL
CYPHER/CAT A
PRIORITY FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING
TELNO. 38
CONFIDENTIAL
TOP COPY
34
Bu. I week.
Bus Tweek. 14.
Nice $17/1.
8 JANUARY 1968 (F)
Now
စစ်
ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NO. 38 OF 8 JANUARY REPTD FOR INFMN TO HONG
KONG.
YOUR TELEGRAM NO. 352: ENTRY VISAS FOR BANK OF CHINA,
AS WE SEE IT, THE FACT THAT THE CHINESE PRESUMABLY WISH TO SEND THEIR
PEOPLE BACK TO LONDON GIVES US A LEVER, THE CHINESE ARE RARELY ANXIOUS
TO WITHDRAW PERSONNEL FROM BRITAIN URGENTLY SINCE THEY PROBABLY DO NOT
MIND IF THEIR OFFICIALS SERVE EXTENDED TOURS, PARTICULARLY WHEN THEY ARE
IN NO PHYSICAL DANGER AND THEIR WORK IS NOT HAMPERED.
2. WE APPRECIATE THE POINT THAT IT MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE TO NEGOTIATE A
DIRECT SWOP OF ENTRY VISAS AGAINST EXIT VISAS, NEVERTHELESS, WE DO NOT
WISH TO THROW AWAY ANY CARDS WITHOUT SOME INDICATION THAT THE CHINESE
WILL MAKE REGIPROCAL MOVES.
3. UNLESS YOU SEE OBJECTION, PLEASE THEREFORE ASK THE CHINESE WHETHER
THEY HAVE ANY COMMENTS ABOUT EXIT VISAS FOR THOSE IN SHANGHAI FOLLOWING
MR HSUEH'S PROMISE ON 27 NOVEMBER TO ENQUIRE (YOUR TELEGRAM NO. 273). AT
THE SAME TIME YOU SHOULD SAY THAT WE ARE NOT CLEAR WHETHER THEY STILL
WISH TO SEND THEIR MANAGER AND DEPUTY MANAGER BACK TO LONDON AND HINT
THAT THERE WILL BE NO DIFFICULTY OVER VISAS HERE PROVIDING THAT WE CAN
BE SURE THAT PROGRESS WILL BE MADE ON OUTSTANDING SHANGHAI CASES.
SOSFA
Na
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUT 10:CCES
F.E.D.
P.C.D.
дие
see Teking tet. no
ext mai
general. p.a.
CONFIDENTIAL
29:;
72
DDDDD
Registry No.
DEPARTMENT
F
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret
Secret
Confidential
Restricted
Unclassified
* Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should
reach addressSS
श्री.
2100
DAPTE÷÷÷÷÷+++++kitty-¬---------
PRIORITY MARKINGS
(Date
Pespatched
Flab Limediat
Priority
Routine
T
की
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
DJ
1834/1
CONFIDENTIAL
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
En Clair. Code- Cypher
Draft Telegram to;-
Roling
No.
(Date)
38