TNAG-0852-FCO40-1062-Visits-of-Royal-Navy-ships-to-Hong-Kong-and-China-1979 — Page 54

Miss Johns

Defence Department

CONFIDENTIAL

VISIT TO CHINA HONG KONG PATROL CRAFT

K

(4)

BEE 179....

No

- 1.

Thank you for sending me a copy of Mr Spencer's letter on the above topic.

2. I have checked with FED, who confirm that the possibility of RN visits to China was raised last year, and apparently welcomed by the Chinese. Our Ambassador in Peking indeed commented that he would like to see a visit in 1980, although it is clear that he, like the MOD, was thinking in terms of a large vessel that could "show the flag" in an appropriate

manner.

3. However, in order to ascertain the political view on the proposal for Hong Kong patrol craft to visit China, CBF Hong Kong should first check with the Hong Kong Government, who are fully aware of the political overtones. Where they con- sider that a decision cannot be reached in Hong Kong, they will advise the FCO. We would then automatically contact the MOD for their views on any proposal involving the Armed Forces. This procedure has been ignored in the recent past, creating confusion both in Hong Kong and here in the UK. I am sure you will agree that in future we ought to stick to the regular channel of communications, especially when dealing with potentially sensitive matters such as this.

4.

Incidentally, I would be interested to know who put forward the idea for Hong Kong patrol craft to visit China.

To my knowledge this is the first we have heard of the proposal but my inclination would be to follow the current MOD policy as outlined in paragraph 3 of Mr Spencer's letter.

8 February 1979

N A Ling

Hong Kong and General Department K242 233 3988

CONFIDENTIAL