Cypher/Cat A
IMMEDIATE
CONFIDENTIAL
PEKING
TO
FOREIGN OFFICE
Telno 443
17 May 1968
CONFIDENTIAL
TOP COPY 169
низ
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 443 of 17 May, Repeated for information to Hong Kong, Washington, POLAD Singapore.
Hong Kong telegram No. 615: Visit of Enterprise.
This NCNA article reads like a warning shot across our bows. As Hong Kong points out in their telegram No. 560 previous visits by the Enterprise has elicited protests from Peking. We should therefore expect at least that this time. There may, however, be other disagreeable consequences. The Enterprise has become a kind of symbol. In the context of our recent exchanges with the Chinese on Sino-British relations it is possible that a visit by the Enterprise would be interpreted by the Chinese as final proof of our insincerity when we talk about desiring improvement in relations. It would certainly be seen as provocative. A visit might also have repercussions in the Colony as it has I think been suggested in Communist circles that some revolutionary energies should be diverted to anti United States and anti KMT themes. And it could of course affect the position of this Mission jus as we are hoping for an improvement.
2.
I realise it may be difficult to ask Americans to cancel the visit now, but from the point of view of this Post I hope this may be urgently considered. It would not (repeat not) be the first time that we have felt obliged to do this.
Foreign Office pass Immediate Washington 109 and POLAD Singapore 130.
Sir D. Hopson
[Repeated as requested]
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20 IN ARCHIVES No: 63
17 MAY 1968
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F.E. & P.D.
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