TNAG-0804-FCO40-1009-Applications-for-visas-from-citizens-of-Eastern-European-cou-1978 — Page 5

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16

CODE 18-77

Mr Quantrill

Mr McI

McLaren

Page

CONFIDENTIAL

Reference

HKK 345/2

REGLIVED IN REGIMIY NO. 51 28 NOV 978

INDEX

A on

HONG KONG: VISAS FOR EASTERN EUROPEANS

25/0 AE

17

1. You will be interested to see paragraph 3 of the attached letter of 3 November from Peking.

2. This is the first indication I have seen that the general mellowing of Chinese attitudes might have extended to "Soviet hegemony".

I cannot help feeling that Mr Sullivan's attitude is a little naive but I would suggest that we do not comment until we have seen Hong Kong's views.

16 November 1978

Амири

Thompson

Hong Kong and General Department

As it Thompson says, let us await Hong Kong's reaction: I find it hard to believe that I Sullivan's letter represents a general Embroy view. The evidence we have seen suggests that the Chinese remain as sensitive as ever about any East European activities in Hong Kong.

1). E. Charkell

17/11

CONFIDENTIAL