TNAG-0278-FCO40-314-Visit-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Aff-1970 — Page 245

CYPHER CAT A

ROUTINE PEKING

TELEGRAM NUMBER 46

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

26 JANUARY 1970

ADDRESSED TO FCO TELNO 46 OF 26 JANUARY REPEATED NOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG(PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR).

YOUR TELNO 41: POSSIBLE VISIT TO HONG KONG.

OUR RELATIONS WITH CHINA WHICH LOOKED LIKE IMPROVING AFTER THE RELEASE OF GREY AND OTHER BRITISH SUBJECTS LAST OCTOBER, HAVE IN FACT DETERIORATED AS THE RESULT OF ARREST OF TWO OTHERS AND OF CHINESE DISSATISFACTION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO FURTHER PROGRESS TOWARDS THE RELEASE OF THE REM- AINING QUOTE CONFRONTATION UNQUOTE PRISONERS IN HONG KONG. THERE HAVE BEEN VARIOUS SIGNS OF CHINESE DISPLEASURE. IT IS THEREFORE POSSIBLE THAT IF THE POSITION IS UNCHANGED IN APRIL, THE CHINESE MAY MAKE YOUR VISIT TO HONG KONG THE OCCASION FOR FURTHER UNPLEASANT COMMENT ON THE UNITED KINGDOM.

THE VISIT MIGHT ALSO GIVE RISE TO PRIVATE SPECULATION AS TO WHETHER POLICY CHANGES IN HONG KONG WERE UNDER DISCUSSION. BUT I DO NOT THINK THAT EITHER OF THESE CONSIDERATIONS WOULD

IN ANY WAY JUSTIFY NOT MAKING THE VISIT.

MR. DENSON

FILE S:

H.K.D.

7.2.D.

MR. WILFORD

&&&&&

CONFIDENTIAL

RATIVED IN RIGÆTRY No.3L 7 JAN 1979

HKK 22/4