TNAG-0028-FCO40-64-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 175

FOREIGN OFFICE TELEGRAM NO.69 TO PEKING

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QUESTION OF ENTRY VISAS FOR THREE MEMBERS OF THE N.C.N.A. LONDON OFFICE, RESIDENCE PERMITS FOR OTHERS, AND ENTRY VISAS FOR TWO MEMBERS OF THE BANK OF CHINA, AND SAID THAT OUR SINCERE DESIRE TO IMPROVE RELATIONS SHOULD BE SHOWN BY DEEDS NOT WORDS. THE HONG KONG PROBLEM WAS THE CRUX OF SINO-BRITISH RELATIONS AND H.M.G. COULD NOT TALK ABOUT IMPROVING RELATIONS WHILE AVOIDING THE SUBJECT OF HONG KONG.

3. DENSON REPEATED OUR WILLINGNESS TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS, INCLUDING TRAVEL FACILITIES FOR CHINESE OFFICIALS IN LONDON IF WE HAD SOME INDICATION THAT THE CHINESE WERE PREPARED TO RECIPROCATE IN PEKING. IT MUST BE UNDERSTOOD HOWEVER THAT CONCESSIONS COULD NOT REPEAT NOT BE UNILATERAL.

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