TNAG-0033-FCO40-69-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 163

CYPHER/CAT A

IMMEDIATE FOREIGN OFFICE

TELEGRAM NUMBER 825

CONFIDENTIAL

TO PEKING

6 SEPTEMBER 1968.

(F)

CONFIDENTIAL

ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NUMBER 825 OF 6 SEPTEMBER REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG, WASHINGTON, POLAD SINGAPORE. CALL BY CHINESE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES.

PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY SUMMONED CHINESE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES AD INTERIM, SHEN PING, AT 11.30 A.M.TODAY. INTERVIEW LASTED HALF AN HOUR. MR. FOLEY EXPRESSED SATISFACTION THAT A NUMBER OF VISAS HAD BEEN FORTHCOMING FOR BRITISH STAFF TO LEAVE PEKING, INCLUDING SIR DONALD HOP SON. HOWEVER HE DREW ATTENTION TO THE CASES OF APPLEYARD, HUNTER AND THEIR FAMILIES. HE CONTRASTED BRITISH AND CHINESE PRACTICE REGARDING VISAS FOR DIPLOMATIC PERSONNEL AND FRESSED FOR THE EARLY ISSUE OF OUTSTANDING VISAS FOR BRITISH STAFF. SHEN PING SAID THAT THE QUESTION COULD NOT BE CONSIDERED IN ISOLATION FROM HONG KONG. BUT A NUMBER OF VISAS HAD BEEN GRANTED AND, AS THEY HAD ALREADY MADE CLEAR, THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES WOULD QUOTE FOLLOW NORMAL PROCEDURES AND MAKE THEIR OWN ARRANGEMENTS FOR ISSUE OF VISAS UNQUOTE.

2. MR. FOLEY THEN TURNED TO CASE OF JOHNSTON AND EXPRESSED HIS STRONG DISSATISFACTION THAT IN SPITE OF REPEATED REQUESTS IN PEKING

NO DETAILS OF CHARGES AGAINST JOHNSTON HAD BEEN PROVIDED TO H.M. CHARGE D'AFFAIRES AND THAT A MEMBER OF HIS STAFF HAD BEEN REFUSED

PERMISSION TO VISIT SHANGHAI TO SEE JOHNSTON. MR. FOLEY ASKED FOR INFORMATION. SHEN PING REPLIED THAT JOHNSTON HAD VIOLATED CHINESE LAW AND HIS CASE WAS BEING EXAMINED. SHEN PING DID NOT KNOW ANY

DETAILS. HE ADDED THAT IT WAS THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THAT HAD CAUSE

FOR DISSATISFACTION SINCE BRITISH SUBJECTS HAD BEEN CARRYING OUT

ESPIONAGE IN VIOLATION OF CHINESE LAW UNDER COVER OF OTHER

ACTIVITIES. THIS HAD AROUSED CHINESE INDIGNATION. MR. FOLEY REPEATED

HIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ABOUT JOHNSTON, FOR DETAILS OF CHARGES

IF ANY, AND FOR AN EXPLANATION OF WHY NO CONSULAR ACCESS HAD BEEN PERMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH NORMAL INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE. SHEN

P'ING SAID THAT THIS WAS BECAUSE THE CASE WAS UNDER EXAMINATION.

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