COFY.
ADDRESSED TO PEKING.
CONFIDENTIAL
ا تاركة
REPEATED TO HONG KONG, WASHINGTON, POLAD SINGAPORE.
Your telegram No. 312.
U.S.Naval visits to Hong Kong.
I agree that you should reply on the lines of our Note of
16th February, 1966.
The body of the Note should read as follows:
Begins.
H.M.G. regret that the Government of the People's Republic
of China have once more repeated their allegations that Hong Kong is
being used as a base for military operations against Vietnam.
again deny the se allegations and confirm that the position as stated
in their Note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's
Republic of China of 11 October, 1965 remains unchanged.
2.
Ends.
Providing the Governor of Hong Kong sees no special reason for
delay, there would, we think, be advantage in delivering our Note soon,
as this will emphasise to the Chinese and others that we have no
difficulty in rejecting these charges outright.
3.
If you and the Governor agree please deliver the Note
immediately after Easter and report. We will then inform the Press
that we have replied to the Chinese protest, giving them the content
of our reply.
4.
Washington please inform State Department.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.