TNAG-0031-FCO40-67-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 21

a basis of what we would regard as

normality, even if we adopt the

standards of normal relations between

ourselves and other Communist

countries;

(b) the question of Hong Kong is not the

sole obstacle in the path of

establishing normal relations between

China and Britain, no matter what the

Chinese may say;

(c) at

present, the basis of Chinese

policy towards Hong Kong is to leave

it as it is, even though they regard

it as a monstrous growth on their

soil;

(a) the Chinese will continue to probe

our intentions as far as Hong Kong is

concerned and to administer pin-pricks.

(We should know soon enough, however,

if they changed their policy to one of

launching a serious attack on Hong

Kong.

(e) If in these probing exercises the

Chinese detect or are able to induee

1

a significant weakening in the British

position

-

one indication of which might

be a marked increase in the authority

and influence of the Hong Kong

Communists, they might conclude that

the time had come when they could, at

the expense of very little effort,

pinch off Hong Kong.

(f) The confrontation of 1967 was a probing

/exercise

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