TNAG-0028-FCO40-64-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 140

CONFIDENTIAL

Peking telegram No. 74 to Foreign Office

- 3-

10. May I, therefore, seek your urgent agreement to inform the

hinese:

(a)

That we are prepared to suspend our exit visa requirements on the clear understanding that they will remove all impediments on our movements;

(b) That we are ready to grant their entry visa applications

at once.

We could go on to add suitable references to watching for signs of progress not only as regards our own staff but also as regards British subjects' problem generally.

11. I earnestly hope we shall not let this chance slip.

12. May I also stress the importance of Hong Kong doing what they can (always consistent with the need to maintain public order) to avoid any untoward incident during the period while the Chinese demands are under consideration.

Foreign Office pass Immediate Hong Kong 40.

Sir D. Hopson

[Repeated as requested]

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