TNAG-0028-FCO40-64-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 40

CONFIDENTIAL

C.O. TELEGRAM NO. 323 TO HONG KONG

2.

MINUTES PER VISIT SINCE WE WOULD NOT WISH THE CHINESE TO

INSIST THAT VISITS TO GREY SHOULD BE LIMITED TO SUCH A SHORT PERIOD. IT MIGHT BE EASIER TO DEAL WITH THIS IF VISITS ARE MADE IN A SPECIAL ROOM AS SUGGESTED IN PARAGRAPH 7(B) OF YOUR TELEGRAM.

5. I DO NOT THINK THAT THERE IS MUCH TO BE GAINED BY ASKING THE CHINESE TO DEFINE THEIR MEANING OF QUOTE FORMAL UNQUOTE VISITS. ON THE CONTRARY IT MIGHT ENCOURAGE THEM TO INCREASE THEIR DEMANDS. IF WE CAN ACHIEVE ACCESS TO GREY BY MEANS OF VISITS OF ANY SORT, SO MUCH THE BETTER, AND IT DOES NOT MUCH MATTER WHAT THE CHINESE CALL THEM. I SUGGEST THAT WE OURSELVES SHOULD USE THE WORDS QUOTE SPECIAL VISITS UNQUOTE TO EMPHASISE THEIR EXCEPTIONAL NATURE AND MINIMISE THE RIGHT OF THOSE CONCERNED TO MAKE THEM.

6.

IT IS RECOGNISED HERE THAT IF THIS FAILS IT IS AS FAR AS WE

SHOULD GO IN MAKING CONCESSIONS IN HONG KONG TO GAIN ACCESS TO GREY. TO GO FURTHER MIGHT PUT AT RISK OUR POSITION IN HONG KONG: WE WOULD BE ABANDONING A POLICY OF FIRMNESS IN OUR DEALINGS THAT

HAS BROGHT US THROUGH THE RECENT TROUBLES AND WOULD ENCOURAGE

CHINESE HOPES THAT WE CAN STILL BE PUSHED INTO MAKING SUBSTANTIAL

CONCESSIONS THERE.

7.

DETAILED SUGGESTIONS ON HOW THIS EXERCISE SHOULD BE HANDLED

WITH THE CHINESE ARE CONTAINED IN MY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING TELEGRAM.

CROSEC

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.0.

F.E.D.

C.O.

H.K.D.

CONFIDENTIAL