TNAG-0031-FCO40-67-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 171

CONFIDENTIAL

CYPHER/CAT A

PRIORITY COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TO HONG KONG

TELNO 952

23 MAY, 1968 (F)

559

CONFIDENTIAL.

ADDRESSED TO GOVERNOR HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO.952 OF 23 MAY

REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO PEKING.

YOUR TELEGRAM NO 612 AND PEKING TELEGRAM NO 395: RICE.

WE SHARE YOUR VIEW THAT THERE IS NOTHING NEW IN THE CHINESE

SUGGESTION THAT THE RICE SHOULD BE IMPORTED IN BATCHES. WHILE THE

CHINESE MAY REGARD THE IMPORTATION OF THE RICE IN BATCHES AS A

CONCESSION ON THEIR SIDE, THE ADMISSION THAT YOU WERE PREPARED IN PRINCIPLE TO ADMIT THE WHOLE 5,000 TONS OUTSIDE THE RICE CONTROL

SCHEME, WHETHER IN BATCHES OR NOT, WOULD CLEARLY REPRESENT A MUCH

GREATER ONE. WE SHARE YOUR RELUCTANCE TO CONCEDE IT, AND AGREE

THAT THERE SEEM NO OTHER CONCESSIONS YOU COULD REASONABLY MAKE.

2. IF THE CHINESE M F A RAISE THE MATTER SIR D HOPSON SHOULD DRAW

ON HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO 383, MAKING AT HIS DISCRETION THE POINTS

IN PARAGRAPH 6.

CROSEC

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.0.

F.E.D.

I.P.D.

C.O.

I.R.D.

GUIDANCE DEPT.

NEWS DEPT.

R..

H.K.D.

LAT

BCF.

553

CONFIDENTIAL

As 30/5

p.a.