TNAG-0004-FCO40-40-Departmental-briefs-about-Hong-Kong-1968 — Page 103

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Our

unable to make headway on our demand for return of Chinese villager

abducted on 11th October (who was in any case a Chinese national).

request for some permanent method of local communication on border problems

was not rejected but was stated to be matter which would probably require

reference to Peking.

However, on 4th November, before above agreement could be implemented,

we received further message that Chinese border authorities wished to have

another meeting on 6th November on their side of the border to discuss one

or two points (unspecified) alleged to be outstanding from previous meeting.

Before agreeing to any further meeting we have asked for details of points

to be raised and explanation why meetings cannot be held on alternate sides

of border. No reply has been received.

Chinese motives for last minute delay in implementing agreed

arrangements are matters for conjecture. Delay may be due either to an

intention to raise additional demands or to need or failure to obtain

Peking's covering approval. We are playing this very cautiously with a

view to probing their intentions. We must at all costs avoid opening the

door to Macao-type manoeuvres.

The Chinese have throughout insisted that no publicity should be given to these talks. However, a report has appeared in a Hong Kong newspaper

(on 7th November) to the effect that "one discussion has already taken

place" and that "a certain amount of agreement has been reached".

Hong Kong Department,

8th November, 1967.

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