Cypher/Cat A
PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
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o 109
2 October, 1967
154
SECRET
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No.109 of 2 October Repeated for information to Hong Kong (Personal for Governor).
Mr. Bolland's letter of 25 September.
Idea of expelling some members of Chinese Office in London in hope that Chinese would retaliate in kind had also occurred to us.
This might have attractions for Chinese as it would allow them to claim that we started it. But it would be a blunt weapon as Chinese could select for expulsion key members of our staff and thus cause us great inconvenience. In any case it seems improbable that we could get more than a limited number of people out on this basis. I think therefore it is a cord to
keep in reserve for the time being.
This
2. Meanwhile it looks as if we are in for a period of relative calm both generally and in Hong Kong. No mention whatever has been made of latter in National Day speeches or slogans, the water is flowing again, and the Canton Fair opens on 15 November. may however be only a tactical lull and could end with Canton Fair on 15 December. In my view therefore it is vital to seize the opportunity which this lull presents of solving problems connected with our representation here as we may find ourselves back in chaos in the New Year. ~
3. At present we are waiting to see whether Chinese will make any reply to your letter to Ch-en Yi, and hoping Pakistani intervention may help. I think we must wait a little longer but should be thinking of any initiatives we could take to get things moving. The most effective gesture on our part may be some concession over Hong Kong. The Chinese seem to be making real efforts to damp things down there and though this is no doubt mainly for their own reasons they may think we owe them some thing in return. Would a partial amnesty, covering journalists at any rate, be possible? This would most likely do the trick.
4.
Action to remove mutual restrictions on movements though a separate subject might also be the key to the puzzle. I have suggested in a letter to Mr. Delamare that we should consider taking initiative in London. The semi closure of Chinese trade office possibly presents a suitable context.
Foreign Office please pass Hong Kong 36.
Mr. Hopson
Sent 01402/3 October
Recd 07502/3 October
[Repeated as requested]
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