TNAG-0335-FCO40-371-Visits-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Af-1972 — Page 120

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

the prospects for pada lasting

selt kement in invit-ching

and the Middle East, on the future develop of Africa and on The means necessary Avoid a nuclear conflict in the future,

CONFIDENTIAL

lateral concern. It is in any case in cur interest

to bring China into closer contact with ourselves

and with the world at large. The tendencies towards

moderation already apparent in Chinese foreign policy

present us with an opportunity.

The more we can

temper the sharp edge of China's revolutionary zeal

by involving her in the complexities of international

life the less like she will be to upset the established

world order. In the longer term consistent exposure

to the problem of co-existence with other countries

with ideals sharply opposed to their own may yet,

by a process of abrasion, cause the Chinese gradually

to modify their view of the world.

Points to make

21. (i) We welcome China's decision to play a

more active role on the world stage. There can be

no prospect of lasting international co-operation

without the participation of a country which

contains a quarter of the human race.

(ii) We should like to hear about China's

views on the important questions of the dog. Full

exchanges of view are beneficial. Both China and

Britain are countries with some influence in the

world. We cannot expect to agree on all subjects but

a full knowledge of the others point of view will

reduce the risk of misunderstanding.

(iii) The era of bipolarity with the division

of the world into two opposing camps dominated

respectively by the Soviet Union and the United

States is drawing to an end. It seems to us that

the growth of a multilateral system of power should

contribute to stability.

What do the Chinese think?

/(iv)

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