From
Mr. de la Mare
E. Bolland
Telephone No. & Ext.
DOW
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Soarer.
¿écret
Confidential.
Restricted.
Unclassified. 12/7
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
Problem
Department
EXIT VISAS FOR CHINESE IN BRITAIN
Copy to:
Mr. Mitchell, Passport Control
Department.
e.w.
B/vii
X
The Chinese have always had a regulation
by which foreigners in China iluding diplomats)
require exit visas before
bel
Simpluding
aving the coɗntry.
ntry.
Should we now adopt the same system with the
Chinese in London?
Recommendation
2. I recommend that we should tell the Chinese
that exit visas will be required in future for
all holders of Chinese passports. I submit a
draft note to the Chinese Office.
Background and Argument
3. The Chinese have always insisted that all
foreigners in China, including diplomats, require
exit visas before leaving the country. Although
the Aliens Order in this country provides that
no foreigner may leave Britain without the
of an emigration officer, in practice nothing is
done to impede the departure of a foreigner
except in some criminal cases. We have no system
equivalent to that of the Chinese exit visas nor,
in the past, have we ever considered it necessary
to adopt one.
4. Mr. Hopson has now suggested that we should
/adopt
adopt a system of exit visas (Peking telegram
No. 847).
847). He has pointed out that, in any visa
war, we are at a distinct disadvantage since there
is one less hoop for the Chinese to go through
here than for us in China. So far there has in
fact been only one case of difficulty over exit
visas from China when Mr. Hewitt and his family
were made to miss their flight home from Moscow because
en the Chinese Ministry deliberately delayed
granting their exit visas. The Dutch however had
a more serious case when their Chargé was detained
for nearly six months before being allowed to
leave. In the present climate of Sino-British
relations there is always a strong possibility
that we may have further difficulty about getting
some of our people out.
Z
5. To make the Chinese subject to an exit
visa system would of course be to discriminate
against them. At the moment I see no disadvantage
We
in doing this. The Chinese have discriminated
against us on a number of matters in Peking.
have up to now avoided taking reciprocal action
since, in the cases which have come up so far,
we would inevitably be the losers. The present
case is different since the Chinese have already
it would
Flag A.
We might also have difficulties abour British
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insisted on exit vises and say not therefore difficult for them
to take further retaliatory action against us
6. The mechanics of the operation would be
quite easy. The exit visa could be simply a
rubber stamp on the passport with the words
"approved for departure by
valid for
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Months". This would be done by the Foreign
Nationals Department of the Passport Office
(who already issue re-entry visas) after con-
sultation with Far Eastern Department.
attach a draft note to the Chinese Office
I
on these lines.
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
COME PE
Registry No.
DRAFT
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
To:-
Top Secret.
Secret.
Confidential.
Restricted. Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
Chinese Chargé d'Affaires
Type 1 +
From
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs presents his compliments
to the Office of the Chargé d'Affaires of the
People's Republic of China and has the honour
to inform them that, as from 1 August 1967, all
those who travel on passports issued by the
Government of the People's Republic of China
will require an exit visa before leaving the
United Kingdom.
Applications for exit viass should be made
to the Foreign Nationals Department of the Pass-
port Office, Clive House, Petty France, S.W.1.
Applications for exit vieas should be accompanied
by the passports of those concerned together with
a note stating the point of departure for which
the exit visa is required. Such exit visas will
normally be valid for three months from the date
of issue,
Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs etc. etc.
CONFIDENTIAL
Cypher/Cat A
PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Telno 847 8 July 1967
Specte
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سيا
5
RECEIVED IN #ARCHIVES No.31
10 JUL 1967
FC3/20
We are at a permanent disadvantage at this post in that we have to get
exit visas from Chinese authorities before being able to leave this
country, whereas there is no parallel requirement in England. In any
visa war, therefore, we are extremely vulnerable to Chinese pressure, as
we can only withhold entry visas to the U.K. or Hong Kong, whereas they
can not only refuse entry visas to China but can prevent us from
leaving. I hope therefore that serious and urgent consideration may now
be given to the possibility of instituting exit visas specially for
Chinese in the U.K.
2.
You will recall that last year the Netherlands Charge d'Affaires was
detained here for nearly six months before he was allowed to leave. In
addition the wife of his First Secretary and her children had their exit
visas withheld for over a month. Mr. Hewitt and his family were made to
miss their plane home via Moscow by deliberate delay in granting the
exit visas.
3. We are at present, in common with our French and Dutch colleagues,
trying to reduce our vulnerability on this score by requesting exit
visas for all our staff valid for all points of exit and for a period of
six months,
We are feeding the passports in starting with the women and children. I
have also put in my own passport in view of my impending departure. The
French and the Dutch seem to be getting these visas regularly in batches
within a week of asking. We have not so far received any reply, although
the request for my own visa was made over two weeks ago. Telephone
enquiries have produced a response that "the matter is being dealt
with", We are therefore being discriminated against in this matter as in
others.
The
4. The French Embassy tell me that they have instituted a special system
in France about a year ago whereby the Chinese (alone among foreigners)
now require exit visas. Indians have also done this. Experience has
proved that reciprocal action is the one thing that the Chinese really
understand. I hope therefore that the possibility of instituting some
system in the U.K. whereby the Chinese have to ask our permission to
leave the country can be urgently and seriously considered. I realise
that this would be a considerable innovation and that it goes against
our long tradition of liberalism. I also realise that some sort of
legislation might be necessary, e.g. an Order in Council.
/In our
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Peking telegram No. 847 to Foreign Office
2
In our present vulnerable situation here, however, which is likely to
endure for some time, I think my staff here deserve all the protection
which they can be given. Such a measure would not only deprive the
Chinese of one form of pressure which they can at present exert on us
without fear of reprisal, but would also give a considerable fillip to
the morale of my staff.
Kr. Hopson
Sent 0800Z/% July
Recd 13102/8 July
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.E. Department
P.C.D.
Protocol and Conference Department
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1017
Mr. de la Mare
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Covering Secret
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
13 JUL 1967 !
Fe3/20
Possible Action against the New China News
Agency in London
As the Secretary of State has not yet been able to
discuss this question with the Home Secretary, we should,
I think, let Mr. Jenkins have a minute setting out our views.
We are continuing to hold up granting a visa for a replace-
ment to the N.C.N.A. staff in London which was applied for
on 1 June and, with the continuing delicate situation in
Hong Kong, there is a very real possibility that our Mission
in Peking may at any time be subjected to fresh outbreaks
of demonstrations which could call for retaliation here.
2.
I submit a draft.
Mr Rooges.
Iland.
(E. Bolland) 7 July, 1967
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hee submitted Lackling points on the seenelay of State's meeting with in
senkins, but i's has been imposible to amange me meeting, and
mali office name
name suggested that we submit a
arap's letter
717
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Aur de la chare
Bolland
Mar 13
LTR. 11.2.4
I have amended the draft minute to take into account Mr. Rodgers' points
and also to bring it up to date since I first drafted there has been
renewed violence in Hong Kong (para. 2) and the Chinese have now applied
for a second visa to replace another member of the N.C.Ñ.A. staff here
(para. 8).
Slland
K. Bolland) ~~~> 13 July, 1967 -
"the%
-
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Flag F
The Chinese have now raised with our Office in Peking the question of
our delaying the visa for the first replacement for their N.C.N.A.
London staff and made an implied threat that they might retaliate
against the Reuter correspondent in Peking if we did not grant it
(Peking telegram No. 885). We must refer to this threat, I think, in the
Secretary of State's minute and draw the conclusion that if the Chinese
renew it we shall have to make it clear to then that if they carry it
out we shall be compelled to expel the remaining N.C.N.A. officials. I
have amended paragraph 8 of the draft accordingly.
Boa
السعاده
(E. Bolland) 13 July, 1967
Graft letter, amanded, submitted
p.a
14/7
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18/7
FLAG E
Private Secrétury retury
M
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covering Secret
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No,3 ¡
31 JUL 1967 : F23/20
Only paragraphs 2 and 6 of the talking points need
amendment. I attach a redraft.
2.
On the new par graph 6 I asked the Home Office not to
grant a visa for an N.C.N.A. replacement until the Secretary
of State had discussed the whole question with the Home
Secretary.
3. We must face the possibility that the Chinese may
retaliate. They could cause difficulties for the Reuters
correspondent in Peking or take action against one of our
diplomatic staff. But even so, while the Chinese continue
their abusive propaganda campaign I do not think that we
should allow N.C.N.A. to reinforce their present staff of five.
h.f. delakan
(A.J. de la Mare)
28 June, 1967.
See mo
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minali of 7 July.
ناس
ра
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covering SECRET
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31,
1 8 JUL 1967 +
Private Secretary Thank you
H2216
FC3/10
1417
China New China News "Agency
-
On my submission of 26 May, which came to the conclusion
that for the time being we should take no action against the
New China News Agency, the Secretary of State commented that I
had earlier been in favour of action and asked whether I had
in fact "come round"
2. As explained in that submission the following considerations
caused us to conclude that immediate action against N.C.N.A.
was neither imperative nor indeed possible:
(a) public morale in Hong Kong swung heavily in
H.M.G.'s favour. The Governor, who previously
had urged H.M.G. to do all in their power to
help him keep up morale by maintaining a strong
attitude towards China, now recommended that, AB
the situation had developed unexpectedly in our
favour, we should not take any action against
China which might cause new pressure against
the Colony. He therefore specifically advised
against the expulsion of N.C.N.A... ¡
(b) the public demand in this country for retaliation
against China, which Ministers had expected, did
not materialise and Mr. Rodgers no longer felt that,
from that point of view, immediate action against
the N.C.N.A. was required;
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/(c)
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2
(c) the Home Secretary was unwilling to act.
3. While, however, Mr. Rodgers and I both thought that the
above factors had changed the situation since we discussed it
with the Secretary of State before he went to Moscow, and I
submitted accordingly, we are aware that it may again change
in that further outbreaks of Chinese hostility against us may
still focus public and parliamentary attention on this issue,
and we may be asked why we have accepted humiliation so
supinely.
We have concluded that, lest this happen, we should
seek now to remove the main obstacle to our taking action
against the F.C.N.A., which is the Home Secretary's
unwillingness to act.
The submission below has been prepared accordingly.
Mr. Rodgers has seen it in draft and has minuted: ' "I think
that it is wise to put this to the Secretary of State".
5. Since the submission was drafted two new factors have
arisen:
(a) although the situation in Hong Kong is for the
time being in hand, inflammatory and subversive
propaganda is still being put out there by the
local office of N.C.N.A and the Governor, on his
own initiative, is now thinking of taking
action against N.C.N.A. Hong Kong on the same
lines as we proposed the Secretary of State
should discuss with Mr. Jenkins for possible
action against N.C.N.A. fere;
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/(b) the
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· 3-
(b) the Chinese have already applied for a visa for
a new N.C.N.A. man here to replace one of the
three who left voluntarily on 26 May. I have
asked the Home Office to ensure that this visa
is not granted pending the Secretary of State's
consideration of the attached submission.
Cf.
de la kuam
(A.J. de la Mare)
6 June, 1967
Copies to:
Mr. Rodgers P.U.S.
Sir D. Allen F.E.D.
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See now
-192.
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Reference
FC.3/20 W. Z
Mr. de la Mare
:
r
The Secretary of State saw your submission of 5 June before his
departure for New York, but was unable to speak to the Home Secretary
before he left. You
· indicated at Sir D. Allen's meeting this morning that you did not
think that this matter was of sufficient urgency for another Minister to
take it up in the Secretary of State's absence.
2. We shall, on the Secretary of State's return, try to arrange for him
to speak to the Home Secretary. I should be
grateful if you could let me know whether the Talking Points prepared
earlier need any revision.
Ja tas
:)
(D.M. Day) 22 June, 1967.
Bd (1626)
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யஅ
Fz 3/20 (w.2
Hag D.
W
TALKING POINTS
I have seen Mr. Rodgers' record of his conversation with
you of 25 May and I understand your difficulties about taking
action against the N.C.N.A.
INSER
2. I am concerned however that, if the Chinese continue their
campaign of abuse against us public opinion in this country
us!
will get restive and accuse us of accepting supinely anything
which the Chinese care to dish out.
3.
I do not want to break off relations with China, if that
can be avoided. I have thought of declaring certain members
of the Chinese Mission here persona non grata, but I am advised
that if we did this the Chinese would certainly retaliate in
like or stronger manner and that we are more vulnerable than
they are because we have few Chinese speakers whom we could
post to Peking whereas they have many English speakers whom
they could post to London. Our resources would run out long
before theirs.
4. I know that if we acted against the N.C.N.A. the Chinese
might retaliate not only by expelling the Reuters correspondent
in Peking but also perhaps by expelling diplomatic members of
our Mission, so that the dangers I have just referred to could
ariee. But while we may not want to risk this at the moment
we must, I think, be prepared to risk it if the Chinese campaign against
us continues and public opinion demands retaliation.
FLAG C 5. I understand that there are now five N.C.N.A. members
resident here, and that their residence permits will all come
up for renewal within the next year. In the face of a public
outcry it would seem timid and inadequate action merely to
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/announce
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announce that these permits will not be renewed when they
expire. Whether this were sufficient would depend on the
gravity of any further Chinese provocation. But it would at
least be something to know that you would agree in principle
even to that.
6. Three members of N.C.N.A. left of their own accord on
26 May.
We do not yet know whether applications will be made
to replace them, but if so I suggest you again consider the
possibility of refusing such applications if made.j
7. I should say here that I do not think parliament and
public are fully aware of the virulence of the campaign of
abuse which the N.C.N.A. are conducting against us in this country.
Mr. Rodgers gave you some examples. Do you not think that if
this were more widely known public support for action against
the N.C.N.A. would be assured? Freedom of speech is all very
well, but the public will surely take into account that it is
this campaign of lies and hate which has instigated Chinese
mob action against our representatives in China. We cannot
stop that campaign in China, but will not the public at least
expect us to stop it here?
8. I hope you will look again at all these considerations.
But beyond that I think also that if public opinion gets
aroused we may have to face a demand to expel the N.C.N.A.
forthwith, lock, stock and barrel. We should, I suggest,
at least take the decision in principle that we shall do this,
and do it quickly, if we come under pressure in the House and
with the public.
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NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY
разрови
The following is a list of the Chinese staff of
the N.C.N.A. in London.
1.