TNAG-0029-FCO40-65-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 76

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CONFIDENTIAL

Cypher/Cat A

SH PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Telno 243

26 March 1968

CONFIDENTIAL

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 243 of 26 March. Repeated for information to Hong Kong.

My immediately preceding telegram.

Following is draft of proposed statement.

Begins.

The British Government have noted with interest statement which Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Lo Kuei-po made on 8 March and have instructed me to make following reply:

2. As British Government have already made clear they attach importance to bringing about an early improvement in Sino-British relations and recognize importance of Hong Kong in these relations. Through its geographical position and history (and origins and culture of vast majority of its inhabitants Hong Kong has closest connexions with China. Hong Kong and China also enjoy close economic ties to their mutual benefit. Furthermore, the British Government have always done their best to ensure normal freedom of movement between Hong Kong and China.

3. Against this background the British Government naturally take account in their policies of special relationship] of Hong Kong with China. They have always given same regard to any view put forward by Chinese Government on the subject of Hong Kong and would wish in principle to meet such views subject always to their overriding responsibility for administration, order and economic development within the territory A stable and prosperous Hong Kong is in interests of all parties concerned.

4.

With particular reference to more recent views expressed Chinese Government on Hong Kong British Government [Wish]to dispel any misunderstanding which may exist about their policies. It has been their consistent policy to ensure that all sections of Hong Kong community enjoy the right to live and work freely and within normal framework of law and order. The British Government do not discriminate against or persecute any section of Hong Kong society and recognize the right of all Hong Kong residents to freedom of expression within the law. This includes the right to study works of Chairman Mao Tse Tung and to engage in any activities associated with this study provided that [they] are consistent with proper maintenance of law and order. Indeed it is precisely to guarantee to the individual these basic rights and freedoms that British Government has a clear duty to uphold impartially and consistently the principles of law and orderly good government in Hong Kong.

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