TNAG-0028-FCO40-64-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 124

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Kr. Wilkinson

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N.. Gammarian

The submmion has

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The

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amandement.

VISITS TO N.C.N.A. PRISONERS IN HONG KONG

Sir Donald Hopson was summoned to the Chinese Ministry

of Foreign Affairs on 28 January to receive two "demands":

(a) That arrangements should be made for N.C.N.A.

correspondents and other "patriotic journalists"

to be visited by N.C.N.A. officials over the

Chinese New Year. In return, the Chinese would

consider arrangements for a visit by a British

official to Mr. Grey.

(b) Arrangements should also be made for representatives

of other organisations to visit the two categories

of prisoners, on application.

Sir D. Hopson has strongly recommended that we meet the Chinese

demands. The Governor of Hong Kong has reservations and is

prepared to agree only to a visit by unaccompanied N.C.N.A.

officials to the N.C.N.A. prisoners.

Recommendation

2.

I recommend that we accept the course proposed by the

Governor. I attach a draft telegram in which the Commonwealth

office concur.

Background and Argument

RECE

3.

- 1 FEB 1968

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The Chinese had earlier made an approach asking for

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