TNAG-0031-FCO40-67-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 90

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towards alleviating his position by other means.

8. The Governor of Hong Kong has reacted helpfully to

He has laid down the following

Sir D. Hopson's proposal.

conditions:-

(a) that visit should be on the same basis as before and

not on more favourable terme;

(b) that we can be reasonably sure that the concession

of another round of special visits in Hong Kong results

in access to Mr. Grey;

(c) that the situation in Hong Kong is still reasonably

quiet at the time of these special visits;

(a) that the climate of public opinion in Hong Kong

remains what it is.

These conditions call for little comment. sir D. Hopson

has accepted (a) and (b) (Peking telegram No. 596); (o)

and (d) are dictated by common sense. We have, of course,

no guarantee at this stage that the Chinese will not prese

for more favourable terme than for the last exchange of

visits. We argued in an earlier submission that once we

had made a concession of principle and the conditions for

the exchange of visits had been established it might be

better to preas ahead with them on a regular basis rather

than permit the trail to go cold and be fwed subsequently

This still holds good. to re-negotiate the bargain.

the Chinese do raise the price of a visit to Mr. Gray we

shall have to resist their demands and consider with the

/Governor

If

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