TNAG-0852-FCO40-1062-Visits-of-Royal-Navy-ships-to-Hong-Kong-and-China-1979 — Page 3

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Mr Watkins

Defence Dept

NAVAL VISITS TO CHINA AND THE SOVIET UNION

1. The draft submission by FED (Mr Davies's minute of 22 November) reflects our views very well. I have only two small suggestions for amendment:

(i)

(ii)

Para 9: replace 'RAF' by 'air force';

Para 10: third sentence to read:

'The Russians could accuse us of being negative about British/Soviet relations if we rejected their proposal. If at the same time we went ahead with a visit to China the Russians could claim that this was further evidence of anti-Soviet collaboration between Britain and China.'

23 November 1979

cc:

Mr Davies

FED

LAST PAPER

Mr Quantrill, HKGD

Mr Palmer, TRED

D J Johnson

EESD - W102A (6081)

HKCK 076/1

RELATED IN SEAKAD NO. 51 2 6 NOV 1979

R231"

No

CONFIDENTIAL

ROAR 26/11

1

ction Taken

: