TNAG-0029-FCO40-65-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 155

Peking 13.6.67.

London 22.6.67.

Peking

26.6.67.

London

5.7.67.

Peking

12.7.67.

Feking

20.8.67.

Peking

9.10.67.

(a) Persecution in Hong Kong should cease;

(b) H... should immediately accept five

"sole and just" Chinese demands;

(c) H.M.G. should make an immediate reply

Chinose Foreign Miniatry statement mentioned the "five demonàs".

Lord Beswick said in a debate in the house of Lords:

"The noble Earl, Lord Bessborough asked about the

"Five Demends". We have not, as he thought,

answered them. It is hardly to be expected that

we should respond to accusations such as, for example, that we should desist from so-called "Fascist atrocities". This is a complete

travesty of the measures we are taking in Hong Kong"

Chargé d'Affaires handed a note (which he refused to accept) containing warning that H.M.G. must immediately instruct British authorities in Hong Kong to comply with the demands of the Hong Kong workers and in particular the five point demands of

15 May.

Chinese Chargé stated that if British authorities in Hong Kong and British Gov.rnment did not immediately stop their "fascist atrocities" or accept "five just denard 6" Chinese compatriots in Hong Kong would be provoked into taking even

heavier counter measures,

Chincse Government demanded release of arrested NCNA Journalist (Hsueh P'ing), with an apology and guarantee of normal safety and freedom for NCNA

in Hong Kong.

Our Charge handed note by MFA demanding that all Chinese journalists arrested in Hong Kong should be declared innocent and act free, bɛn on three communist newspapers lifted and lawɛults against communist papers dropped. Demanda had to be met in forty-eight hours.

Con expiry of ultimatum our Mission was attacked

and burnt down

In a note (rejected by our Charge) MFA restated Chinese demands made since 15 May.

/ Peking