TNAG-0030-FCO40-66-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 110

CONFIDENTIAL

FOREIGN OFFICE TELEGRAM NO. 338 TO PEKING

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IN BRITISH SUBJECTS IN CHINA WAS NOT AN OBSTACLE TO PROGRESS PROVIDED THAT WE APPROACHED OUR PROBLEMS IN A PRACTICAL AND CO- OPERATIVE SPIRIT. BUT BEFORE PROGRESS COULD BE MADE THERE MUST BE A CLEAR RESPONSE ON THE MATTERS WHICH HE HAD RAISED TODAY. 12. SHEN PING REPEATED THAT ANY REQUEST TO SEE WATT COULD NOT BE ENTERTAINED: AND THAT POSITIVE ACTION TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS IN HONG KONG REMAINED THE PREREQUISITE OF ANY IMPROVEMENT IN RELATIONS.

13.

THE TONE OF THE MEETING WAS QUIET AND POLITE AND THE RITUAL REFERENCES TO HONG KONG WERE MADE WITHOUT PARTICULAR CONVICTION.

14.

WE ARE INFORMING THE PRESS THAT MR. RODGERS SUMMONED THE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES TO RAISE THE QUESTION OF CONSULAR ACCESS TO BRITISH SUBJECTS IN CHINA. IF QUESTIONED WE SHALL ADD THAT PARTICULAR ATTENTION WAS PAID TO THE CASES OF WATT AND GREY.

SOSFA

FO/CO/WH DISTRIBUTION

F.E.D.

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CONFIDENTIAL