202
CONFIDENTIAL
CYPHER/CAT A
VMEDIATE FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING
TELNO 629
7 JUNE, 1968 (F)
CONFIDENTIAL.
ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELNO 629 OF 7 JUNE REPEATED FOR INFORMATION
TO HONG KONG WASHINGTON AND POLAD SINGAPORE.
M..P.T: U.S.S. ENTERPRISE.
FOLLOWING IS SUGGESTED TEXT.
QUOTE. H.M.G. REGRET THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA HAVE SEEN FIT TO REPEAT THEIR ALLEGATIONS ABOUT THE VISITS OF CERTAIN NAVAL VESSELS TO HONG KONG AND TO ASSERT THAT HONG KONG IS USED BY THE UNITED STATES AS A QUOTE BASE OF OPERATIONS AND A
LOGISTICS CENTRE FOR THEIR WAR OF AGGRESSION AGAINST VIETNAM UNQUOTE. IT IS WELL KNOWN THAT VISITS BY NAVAL VESSELS OF MANY NATIONS, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, TAKE PLACE IN HONG KONG FOR THE PURPOSES OF RECREATION. HONG KONG DOES NOT SERVE ANY COUNTRY AS A BASE OF OPERATIONS OR AS A LOGISTICS CENTRE FOR QUOTE AGGRESS- ION AGAINST VIETNAM UNQUOTE. FURTHERMORE, ALL PRECAUTIONS ARE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT THE PRESENCE OF NUCLEAR POWERED VESSELS PRESENTS NO THREAT TO THE SAFETY OR SECURITY OF THE INHABITANTS OF HONG KONG OR CHINA. THE OFFICE OF THE BRITISH CHARGE D'AFFAIRES TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REFER TO THE CONTENTS OF THEIR NOTES OF 11 OCTOBER, 1965, 16 FEBRUARY, 1966 AND 28 MARCH, 1967 IN THIS RESPECT. H.M.G. ALSO WISH TO REITERATE THAT THEY DO NOT PURSUE A POLICY OF HOSTILITY TOWARDS THE CHINESE PEOPLE OR THE CHINESE INHABITANTS OF HONG KONG. THEY HAVE ALREADY MADE CLEAR TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, AND WISH TO EMPHASISE AGAIN THEIR EARNEST DESIRE TO SEE A SETTLEMENT OF OUT- STANDING DIFFERENCES AND A FULL NORMALISATION OF SINO-BRITISH
RELATIONS.
UNQUOTE.
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10 JUN 1968
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CONFIDENTIAL
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