TNAG-0021-FCO40-57-Facilities-for-US-Forces-1968 — Page 44

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CONFIDENTIAL

(B)

CANCELLLATION, WHICH WOULD CERTAINLY BECOME PUBLIC IN

HONG KONG, WOULD GO SOME WAY TO UNDERMINE THE ROBUST STATEMENT PUT OUT BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT (HONG KONG TELEGRAM NUMBER

622) AND COULD BE DAMAGING TO CONFIDENCE.

3. AS NAVAL VISITS ARE A SUBJECT TO WHICH THE CHINESE ARE CLEARLY AGAIN TURNING THEIR ATTENTION AND SINCE, SUBJECT TO MAINTAINING AUTHORITY IN HONG KONG, WE CERTAINLY WISH TO DO NOTHING TO REVERSE OR RETARD THE PRESENT TREND TOWARDS

THE NORMALISATION OF WORKING RELATIONS WITH THE CHINESE, WE

SHALL WISH TO REVIEW THE WHOLE QUESTION WITH YOU AND HONG KONG

AND ALSO THE AMERICANS - AFTER THE PRESENT VISIT HAS TAKEN PLACE, IN THE LIGHT OF THESE AND ANY FURTHER CHINESE REACTIONS

TO IT.

SOSFA

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.0.

C.O.

F.E.D.

DEFENCE DEPT.

S.E.A.D.

AMERICAN DEPT.

H.K.DEPT.

DEFENCE DEPT.

F.E. & P.D.

NEWS DEPT. DIS MOD

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CONFIDENTIAL