TNAG-0112-FCO40-148-Detainees-and-prisoners-following-19671968-disturbances-1969 — Page 48

25

CONFIDENTIAL

200/chin

Cypher/Cat A

PEKING TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

Telno. 48

CONFIDENTIAL

22 January, 1969

RECEIVED O ARCHIVES 5.51

24 JAN 1969

Fussell

Addressed to FCO telegram Ro. 48 of 22 January. for information to Hong Kong.

FE

Repeated

My telegram No. 24: Shanghai Community.

It is now nearly a month since I began asking for an interview with Foreign Ministry to inform them of

and

pregnancy and to press for visas for

subjects on which Garside had been

Quis is requesting an interview for himself since 5 December.

We are still the longest period we have been kept waiting. telephoning each day.

2.

The Chinese may fear we shall publicize the fact of interview as with my interview with Yuan on Grey (my telegram No. 1094 of 9 December). They may also be trying to discourage me or more probably my successor from vigorous action on behalf of British subjects held in China. 3. Whatever the reason I think it wrong to let this breach of normal practice pass and thereby confirm Chinese in their bad habits. I suggest News Department might make a brief statement that recently the Consul and I have been denied access to Foreign Ministry to discuss question of British subjects in Shanghai despite requests for an interview going back to 5 December.

4. This would, I think, be better than a confidential protest to Chinese in London since it would convey to foreign audiences that Chinese were still disregarding diplomatic practice in our case and to that extent would remind Chinese Since it would of continuing disadvantages of hostage game.

be a low-key statement and on Shanghai, it should not upset publicity line on Grey and provided we keep off details on Shanghai it would not contravene Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank wishes on publicity about

FCO pass Hong Kong.

Mr. Cradock.

Repeated as requested

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

Far Eastern Dept.

Hong Kong Dept.

Consular Dept.

News Dept.

Information Research Dept.

Information Policy Dept. Research Dept.

XXXXX

CONFIDENTIAL