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are now under way in Hong Kong (Hong Kong telegram No. 440);
but it is evident that progress is likely to be slow.
Further
delay on this score in our reply to Lo would not be justified.
Indeed it seems to me that a reply would be particularly
timely now, since it would round off the recent series of
exchanges we have had with the Chinese:
(a) On 3 April the Hong Kong authorities reached
agreement with New China News Agency about
additional visits to communist journalists in
prison in Hong Kong (which we hope will lead
to access to Mr. Grey in detention in Peking);
On 4 April we informed the Chinese Mission
here that we were lifting the requirement for
exit permits;
(b)
(c)
On 5 April Mr. Rodgers sew the Chinese Chargé
d'Affaires and firmly took him to task on all
the issues concerning the detention of British
subjects.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs have now had a little
time to take account of our relaxation of movement restrictions
and of the successful prison visits in Hong Kong (which took
place on 9 April); and this may influence them helpfully in
their reaction to our reply to Lo.
I recommend therefore that
Moreover, now that we have
there should be no further delay.
accorded the additional prison visits in Hong Kong it is
desirable that the Chinese should be reminded as scon as
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