CONFIDENTIAL
Cypher/Cat A
PRIORITY PEKING то FOREIGN OFFICE
Telno 682
25 July 1968
1708
CONFIDENTIAL
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 682 of 25 July. Repeated for information to Hong Kong and Saving to Washington,
My telegram No. 677 (not to all).
Reasons for Chinese issuing these exit visas now may include any or all of the following:
2.
(a) Chinese displeasure over visit of "Enterprise" resulting in Lo Kuei-po's protest of 27 May meant a 2 month interruption in exit visas and Chinese are now resuming trickle which began in May, though still confine themselves, for the present at least, to junior staff;
(b)
The four visas are a quid pro quo for recent release of four detainees in Hong Kong;
(c) Chinese are aware, e.g. from my application of a visa and probably from our en clair telegrams giving details of out- standing applications, that something is impending and would like to pre-empt this or at least blur the issues. They may have originally expected us to react to visa stoppage by reimposing visa restrictions in London, which would of course have made it easier for them to justify maintaining their own restriction on movement. But since this has not happened they may be expecting publicity and possibly diplomatic pressure;
(a) That they are reacting to increased publicity e.g. recent statement in Parliament, Press article etc.
The above are not (repeat not) incompatible theories and all factors could be operating. A reasonable inference is that a policy of diplomatic and publicity pressure, plus absence of restrictions in London, plus carrots in the form of release of more detainees, may produce results. The Chungwah school question, if it devlops, could on the other hand be an adverse factor.
Foreign Office pass Priority to Hong Kong and Saving to
Washington.
Sir D. Hopson
[Repeated as requested]
DEP ARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.O.
F.E.D.
C.O.
H.K.D.
F.0.
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S.E.A.D.
CEIVED IN *** No. 63
20 JUL 1968
Research Dept.
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HWA 3/2
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EEEEE
Z.M. & S.A.D.
CONFIDENT IAL
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