TNAG-0033-FCO40-69-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 148

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to explain away the delay. The reader now has a more realistic picture of the problems involved, and has been made more aware of the Taiwan stumbling block.

5. The recent publication of a series of innocuous or even flattering AFP despatches on China's internal situation may reflect Peking's new concern with China's image abroad,

It may also be connected with the arrival in Feking of a new AFP bureau chief and the renewal of local pressures on the agency.

6. Although attacks on President de Gaulle ceased to appear in the official Chinese press after, the re- election of his Government, the French President is still a favourite target in the bulletin. Reports of dis- turbances in France have naturally declined in volume as the situation there returns to normal,

7. The Chinese are keeping a closer eye on developments in the Middle East, and have shown particular interest in President Nasser's rather unsatisfactory talks with the Russian leaders. Nasser's negative statements on the possibility of a political selution may well have encouraged them to press their bellicose line on the crisis. The Chinese do not appear to have made up. their minds about the implications of the coup in Iraq and seem content for the moment to chart the course of events and monitor the reactions of other Arab countries.

8. Seen against the rather euphoric background of the Pakistani Foreign Minister's visit to Peking, the bulletin's reports on Pakistan's dealings with Moscow strike a distinctly sobering note. The Chinese are no doubt currently making their views clear to their Pakistani guests.

9. Hong Kong continues to feature intermittently. Chinese cadre is not fed with inflammatory news about the situation there, though there has been some criticism of the decision to de-register the Chung Wah school.

There has also been a hint that the Chinese wish to demonstrate to their readers that non-violent tactics in dealing with the Hong Kong Government are proving successful.

The

I am copying this letter, with enclosure, to Robin McLaren and Tony Ashworth in Hong Kong, Reg Hibbert in Singapore, Roy Spendlove in Washington, Kathleen Draycott in IRD, Frank Brewer in RD, McKearney in PUSD, Pierce in DIS and to Chanceries at Saigon, Prague, Moscow, Uttawa and Tokyo.

Jas

Sams

(G.G.H. Walden)

CONFIDENTIAL