TNAG-0032-FCO40-68-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 77

770

CONFIDENTIAL

Cypher/Cat A

IMMEDIATE

Teino 739

PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

12 August 1968

CONFIDENT IAL

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 739 of 12 August. Repeated for information to Hong Kong.

Exit Visas,

Garside was summoned to an interview with T'ien of the Consular Department this morning.

T'ien handed over my passport with visa and said that Chinese Government had always issued visas in accordance with normal procedures. An abnormal situation had arisen in the past on the question of exit visas since Hong Kong British Authorities had created tension in Hong Kong from May onwards last year and British Government had imposed restrictions on Chinese in London. The entire responsibility for the abnormal situation lay with the British side. But despite this abnormality Chinese had consistently issued visas this year and last year.

This year they have already issued over 20 exit and entry visas and in June alone they had issued several visas, including one for a First Secretary. In July they had issued 8 visas, including one for a Commercial Counsellor.

3

Tien went on to say I had made a strong protest in my talk with kao of Consular Department on 3 July. This was unreasonable, impolite and unacceptable. T'ien wished to reinforce everything that Kao said. On 5 August we had sent a Note about my visa, Department were now issuing my visa in accordance with normal procedure.

t

Consular

In reply Garside rebusted Chinese allegations bout Hong kong and cestrictions on the ir staff in London, He said that issue of exi Bas for diplomats was not favourable to the latter; rather to withhold them was a breach of normally accepted diplomatic practice. He referred to nis interview with Yuan on 27 July, He asked when remaining 13 visas would be issued. T'ien replied that Chinese Government had noted applications and would issue visas in accordance with normal procedure.

Foreign Office pass Immediate to Hong Kong.

Sir D. Hopson

[Repeated as requested]

DEFARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

2.0.

.E.D.

0.0. DSAO

News Dept.

H.h.D.

Personnel Dept.

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CONFIDENTIAL