TNAG-0109-FCO40-145-Detainees-and-prisoners-following-19671968-disturbances-1968 — Page 106

ORIG. Cogen FC35 514

Copy

CONFIDENTIAL

RECEIVED IN ARCHIV, No.31

29 AUG 1968

Feb 12

Mr. Bages to su off. Boyd see

ECONOMIC PRESSURE AGAINST CHINA

Вработа

22

FLAG

PLAGS B

44 + 419

PROBLEM

Some weeks ago, when no progress was being made in the matter

of exit visas for the Mission, Sir Donald Hopson raised the question

of applying economic pressure on the Chinese, should diplomatic pres-

sure and a publicity campaign fail to move them to more reasonable

policies (Peking telegram No. 585). He went on to suggest possible

forms this pressure might take (Peking telegrams 586 and 672).

since the sacking of the Mission, we had been keeping the question

of economic sanctions under review. However, we re-examined the

matter in the light of Sir D. Hopson's suggestions.

2.

Since the proposals were made, the situation has been trans-

formed, and we hope that exit visas will now be issued in a more or

less normal fashion. Nevertheless, it seems worth putting on record

the conclusions of our latest review of the possibilities of economic

pressure particularly since, as long as Mr. Grey and other British

subjects remains i detention in China, we shall always be under

pressure from some ections of public opinion here to take strong

measures against the Chinese.

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CONCLUSIONS

30

The conclusions of ‘our refŸew are these:

../ (2)

CONFIDENTIAL