7447 D073840 101M 8/74 Cr.P.C, 839/3
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
CONFIDENTIAL
questions. Despite the polemical exchanges, there have been no major border incidents in recent years. There are no signs of progress in the border talks despite the return of the chief Soviet negotiator to Peking in November 1976 (he left again in February).
8. China gives considerable aid to third world countries which resist Soviet influence (eg Sudan, Zaire). However, she devotes fewer material resources than in the early 70's to competition with the Soviet Union for influence in the third world.
UK-Chinese Relations and Defence Sales
9.
There are no major outstanding problems in UK/China relations. The new regime has shown no inclination to upset the status quo in Hong Kong. In order to support her ambitious programme of economic modernisation, China wishes to increase
imports of advanced western technology. There have been some indications that she might wish to gain access to western military technology. The USSK
will follow any developments in this field closely and with suspicion. COCOM regulations apply to
China as well as to members of the Warsaw Pact.
Soviet Visits to Hong Kong:
10.
The USSR has long taken exception to the restrictions imposed on visits to Hong Kong by Russian
ships and their crews. If the hussians raise this matter it will most probably be to press the Secretary of State to ensure that the Hong Kong Government do not refuse access to Hong Kong for the Soviet research vessel the "Dimitriy Mendeleev" which they propose should call at Hong kong at the end of October. No answer has yet been given to the Soviet note requesting this permission but a refusal will be made shortly. (Notification of our refusal will be delayed until close to the time that the visit is
intended, in order to allow as little time as possible
CONFIDENTIAL
/ for
1
7
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.