CONFIDENTIAL
184
Cypher/Cat A
IMMEDIAT
Telno. 315
PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
CONFIDENTIAL
6 December 1967
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 315 of 6 December, Repeated for information to Hong Kong, POLAD Singapore and Washington.
My immediately preceding telegram.
This interview which was in a comparatively low key seems a formalisation of the Chinese position as explained to me by Mr. Kao on 2 December. It does not seem to introduce any new elements. The emphasis throughout was that the Chinese Government expected our actions to match our words and that if Sino British relations were to improve we must show our goodwill by actions in Hong Kong. The veiled threat contained in Hsueh's statement that if suppression in Hong Kong continues relations could only deteriorate further was made as an aside and not (repeat not) as part of the formal statement. I concluded therefore that our star is now firmly hitched to Hong Kong but that the Chinese Government may still be willing to take further steps to normalise our position here if by some gesture in relation to Hong Kong we were to give them the opening to do so.
2. I suggest we should wait for the N.C.N.A. version before making any comment. I recommend that the News Department should in reply to any question confine themselves to saying that I reject the protest and to rebutting Chinese version of the events as necessary. It would be preferable to avoid comment on the wider subject of Sino-British relations.
Foreign Office pass Hong Kong 157 Immediate, POLAD Singapore 42 Priority, Washington 42 Priority.
Mr. Hopson.
[Repeated as requested]
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
!
ADVANCE COPIES SENT
F.0.
F.E.D. S.E.A.D.
News Dept.
C.O.
DDDDD
H.K.D.
F.E. & P.D. News Dept.
J.I.R.D. D.I.S.M.O.D.
189
186
CONFIDENTIAL
!
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.