NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Flags E and F
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sintended t create a situation in Hong Kong friction to that which no obrains in Macao
Present confrontation policy
12.
It is relevant to consider our policy at
this present stage of confrontation since
separate but related exchanges between the
Governor and Sir Donald Hopson (Hong Kong
telegrams Nos. 832 and 855 and Peking telegram
No. 620) have indicated some misunderstanding.
13. Sir Donald questions whether the Governor
really has as his objective a return to normal
relations with China (which Sir Donald had
understood to be the goal of our policy)
inasmuch as the Governor is not prepared to
make substantial concessions to Chinese
susceptibilities over such matters as U.S. Naval
Visits and the Chung Wah School indeed, in
the latter context, even hints at a tougher
policy towards communist educational activities-
and states furthermore (Hong Kong telegram No. 832, paragraph 2) that the communists should
not be allowed to regain a position of strength
similar to that held prior to April 1967.
14. Our objective is indeed a return to
normal working relations with China over Hong
Kong, if that can be achieved. On the Chinese
acceptance z side this postulates teleration and respect, for
our position and authority in the Colony. On
our side it means that we continue (as we have
done since 1949) to accommodate ourselves to
Chinese, susceptibilities wherever possible, concessions que effect of wrion to be to underime
provided always that we stop short of ander
mining our authority in the Colony, and to
avoid unnecessary provocative actions while
reacting firmly to unreasonable Chinese
pressures,
But there is no clear evidence
that China is interested in placing relations
with Britain, over Hong Kong or other issues,
/ on a
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