TNAG-0029-FCO40-65-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 38

CORISTESENLAD

Annex A

GINO-BRIRISH RELACIONS

DEVELOPMENTS TE 1967 AND 1968

Relations with China became strained following the first

disorders in Hong Kong in Kay, 1967, and the Chinese

presentation of the "Pive Dezando" (see separate einex about

Hong Kong). The first direct result was the sacking of our

Office in Shenghai and the expulsion of the officer in charge.

The property was subsequently requisitioned in September. From

May onwards, members of the Hission in Feking were subjected to

various administrative harassments and there were delays in

granting exit visas. On 20 August the Chinese lucued on

ultimatum calling on us within 48 hours to lift the ban on three

communist newspapers in Hong Kong, release all Chiness

journalista arrested and drop proceedings against other

Communist newspapers « or accept the consequences. We did not

comply and the Chinese retaliated by packing the British Eission

on 22 August, It is unclear whether the leadership canctioned

the mob to go as far as they did. It is likely that the

extremisa caused by the Cultural Revolution made it impossible

for more moderato elements to prevent the attack getting out of

hand. Some membera of the staff suffered minor injuries.

2. In response to the attack we imposed on the sano day the

following restrictions on the Chinese Mission and other Chinese

officials in London:-

(a)

Movement without prior notification to be restricted within

a radius of 5 miles of Marble Arch (the normal limit is

35 miles);

(10)

Applic tion to be made for an exit permit before officials

could leave this country;

/(0)

CONFIDENTIAL