TNAG-0028-FCO40-64-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 143

CONFIDENTIAL

Peking telegram No. 72 to Foreign Office

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In reply Cradock rejected Kao's allegation that the British side had sabotaged normal movement of personnel. This was turning black into white. On entry visas for United Kingdom staff we already had applications outstanding some since mid-December. We had had no reply. On the other hand we had received application for an early visa for Hsu Tan-shu as late as 8 January. As proof of our wish to restore normal movement we had decided to grant this visa. As for Bank of China staff in absence of recent confirmation from the Ministry we had been uncertain whether they still wish to travel. If Consular Department confirmed that this was so we should certainly consider application. But the question of British Bank staff in Shanghai was causing us concern. Since last summer Mr. and Mrs. Self's exit visa applications were unanswered though their successor had arrived in June. Mr. Hsueh had agreed to look into the matter when I saw him on 27 November but we still had no answer. It was clear if progress were made on this it would be easier for us to grant entry visas to the Bank of China staff quickly progress depended on reciprical

gestures.

5. On exit visas Cradock emphasised long delay in the issue of exit visas to British staff and many applications out- standing. He reiterated that as Murray had said of the Chinese in London applied for exit visas there would be no difficulty about granting them provided that there was no hold-up for our staff wishing to leave Peking. If two Chinese had applied they would have been given visas. There was therefore no substance in the claim that we were impeding their moves.

6. In reply Kao reiterated that the Chinese had taken a series of actions to normalise staff moves since last June but British side despite much talk had made no concrete moves in return. He then pointed out the requirement for exit visas for Chinese staff had not been in force before deterioration in Sino-British relations. The Chinese could not accept this discrimination which was reason why two staff members were not leaving. Such discrimination was at variance with international practice. Kao confirmed that NCNA and Bank of China applications were still live and asked why we had taken so long to consider them. At this point Liu Section Head interrupted to reiterate that Chinese want concrete actions and to spell out Chinese demands in detail.

7.

Cradock said that if Mr. Kao wanted a concrete act visa for Hsu provided one. He pointed out Chinese dis- criminated on requirement for exit visas here. Some Missions in Peking did not need exit visas. He said that Bank of China applications would be considered. On the

CONFIDENTIAL

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