TNAG-0611-FCO40-759-Presence-of-Warsaw-Pact-countries-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 8

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2.

motives of many boviet applicants and the impossibility of

distinguishing these from the innocent minority, if there is

one. There is evidence that the main oviet aim in seeking

to establish a presence in Hong Kong is to use the Colony

as a base, not only for observation of Chinese events but

also for factual intelligence operations against China.

Hong Long's relationship with China is a delicate balance

of interests: the Chinese are very sensitive about moviet

activities against them and they are clearly hostile to the

establishment of any Coviet or ast European foothold in the

Colony. When the previous Secretary of tate for Foreign

and Commonwealth Affairs, Ir Crosland, visited eking in

May 1976, the Chinese Foreign Linister expressed the hope

that the "British authorities in Hong Kong would hold in

check" the activities of the Soviet Union and its satellites

who "were using long; Kong as a base for intelligence and

infiltration". In reply, the Secretary of tate gave a clear

assurance that G had "no intention of tolerating the use of

Hong Kong for subversive activities against the Chinese

leople's Republic". In the circumstances, the special needs

of lion, non and the requirements of nglo/Chinese relations

must prevail over less important considerations such as the

possible difficulty of reconciling the visa policy of the

Hong Kong Government with our relations with the Soviet Union

and with our own fairly liberal visa practice elsewhere.

4.

The Russians have in the past shown particular concern

/about

CONFIDENTIAL