TNAG-0028-FCO40-64-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 142

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CONFIDENTIAL

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28. 272A.

IMMEDIATE PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Telno 72 25 January, 1968

CONFII ITIAL

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 72 of

25 January

Repeated for information to:- Hong Kong.

Counsellor obtained interview with Kao Deputy Head of Consular Department at 4 p.m. on 24 January to discuss entry visa for Hsu Tan-shu, Following is summary

✔

2. Kao began by saying he himself had wanted to call Cradock since he wished to explain attitude of the Chinese Government in the light of Murray's interview with MA on 2 January. The Chinese Government had always granted every facility to officials sent to China. Although last year the British Authorities had created incidents to worsen Sino British relations since last June the Chinese Government had continued to provide necessary facilities to the British staff and families. The Chinese had taken initiative and granted visas to Cox, Cradock, Miss Foggie and seven children (by this last reference Kao probably meant entry and exit visas for five children plus exit visas for two wives). However for a long period the British had not issued visas to the five NCNA and Bank of China personnel wishing to travel to London. The Chinese Government was very dis- satisfied,

3. Moreover, Kao continued, on 22 August British Authorities had unreasonably announced a new visa system which discriminated against Chinese Officers. Because the British side had repeatedly sabotaged normal movement of personnel the Chinese had been obliged to take measures to safeguard transfer of staff. Nevertheless the Chinese had allowed British officials to leave China; the latest example was Blishen family. But these actions to promote normal movement of staff had met with an opposite effect. This year two Chinese officials had wished to leave Britain in normal way but Murray had reiterated discriminatory restrictions on their departure. This showed that the British authorities were continuing to place obstacles in the way of a relaxation of Sino British relations and a normalisation of staff movements. The Chinese Government was indignant and demanded that British authorities should take two steps: first immediate removal of discriminatory restrictions on movement of Chinese staff from Britain; and second provide all necessary facilities for Chinese personnel to travel to Britain.

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