TNAG-0031-FCO40-67-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 158

CONFIDENTIAL

10.

Mr. Shen P'ing reiterated that Hong Kong was the crux of Sino-British relations. If the British Government failed to show sincerity in solving the main problem how could other problems be resolved? The Chinese had taken positive steps to facilitate the solution of the main problem but the British Government had failed up to now to make any realistic reply on Hong Kong, which was the root cause of the deterioration of our relations. The Chinese too were

dissatisfied.

11. Mr. Rodgers asked Mr. Shen P'ing to give him a direct answer: was it right in any circumstances for a man who had not been accused of any offence to be held in solitary confinement for nine months? Mr. Shen Pling replied that restrictions on the movements of Mr. Grey had only been imposed after the British Government had taken action against the correspondents of the New China News Agency and many other "patriotic journalists" in Hong Kong.

12. Mr. Rodgers again asked Mr. Shen P'ing for a direct reply: did he think it right for Mr. Crouch, Mr. Jones and Captain Pope, officers going about their normal duties, to be held without the Chinese communicating the reason to us? Mr. Shen Pling replied that their cases were being examined. In due time the British Government would know the details of the cases. At the present there was nothing else to say. Mr. Shen P'ing said he in his turn would like to ask Mr. Rodgers a question: did he think it right that the British authorities in Hong Kong should imprison 1,000 Chinese compatriots in concentration camps and jails quite unwarrantedly? Was it right to imprison them for ever?

13. Mr. Rodgers said there was no comparison between the two. Those imprisoned in Hong Kong had committed offences and no attempt was made to withhold their whereabouts. Mr. Rodgers understood that Mr. Shen P'ing was acting on instructions but he expressed the hope that Mr. Shen P'ing personally regretted that he had been unable to provide satisfactory answers. He hoped Mr. Shen P'ing would be able to do better next time. The answers Mr. Rodgers wished to have would help towards the improvement that the British side, and it was hoped the Chinese side also, wished to see in our relations.

14. Mr. Shen P'ing finally said he regretted that the British Government had made no reply whatsoever to the Chinese Government's demands on Hong Kong. He wished that the British Government would expeditiously show its genuine sincerity and give a realistic answer.

CONFIDENTIAL