TNAG-0029-FCO40-65-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 40

COPSTORECTAL

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Mission in the same way as other diplomatic missions, (e.g. a 121 mile travel limit with como extensions to pleoca

of tourist interest). An indication was given in late.

November that exit visas would be granted normally but this

came to nothing. At the same time the Chinese Vice Minister

made it clear that the root-cause of difficulties in our

relations was Hong Kong and they could not be resolved unless

we mot Chinese demands including the release of all prisoners.

6. On 24 January however a more junior official indicated

.. that if we were prepared to lift the remaining restrictions on

thoir Mission and officials in London, i.e. grant complete

freedom of entry and exit, they "would certainly nako

corresponding gestures", For the first ting no mention wae

made of Hong Kong as the crucial factor. On 7 February,

3ir D. Hopson was authorised to inform the Chinese that we would

be willing to suspend the provision for exit visas for all

Chinese officials on the understanding that difficulties would

not be made about exit for our staff and that entry visas

would be dealt with in the normal woy with the cxception of that

for N.G.N.A. which we would only allow if there was Bong

indication of progress over the Reuters correspondent,

Hr. Grey (see sep rate annex about British subjects in China).

Sir D. Ropson was given discretion to present the package in

whatever way he thought most suitable. In the event, the

intervica went in such a way that the Chinese were left to give

us on assurance that they would act before we committed

ourselves to do so here. This produced no response.

17.

CONFIDENTIAL