appreciated that this question could not be settled on the spot. He
hoped the British side would continue to exchange ideas with the Chinese
side in order to identify the problems
and reach a suitable arrangement.
IMEDIATE CYPHER CAT A
FM PEKING 030939Z
CONFIDENTIAL
1
CONFIDENTIAL
1972
TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELEGRAM NO 1227 OF 3 NOVEMBER AND TO
IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
RICHARDSON'S LETTER 3/56 OF 2 NOVEMBER TO DAVIES, FED,
CHINESE REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG.
Mr Davies
1. PLEASE MAKE THE FOLLOWING CORRECTIONS TO THE VERBATIM ACCOUNT OF
EXCHANGES ON THIS SUBJECT ENCLOSED WITH LETTER UNDER REFERENCE.
2. PARA 1.
LINE 7: FOR WHO UNDERSTOOD THEM' READ AND THEY THOUGHT
THE BRITISH UNDERSTOOD''.
LINE11 FOR UNNECESSARY HARM'' READ '' "TROUBLE''.
LINE 29: FOR ** MANY'' READ ''SOME'', FOR HELP THE
DEVELOPMENT OF SINO-BRITISH RELATIONS** READ ** FACILITATE
RELATIONS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA''.
LINE 35: FOR CONSULT'''READ '' HAVE TIMELY DISCUSSIONS**.
LINE 36: DELETE '
DELETE '' VERY KINDLY (SIC) ''. FOR AND THINGS
WOULD'' READ '' SO THAT THEY DID'
LINE 42: FOR ''DIRECT COMMUNICATIONS'' READ '' DIRECT RAIL
COMMUNICATIONS''.
**
ZCLINE 461 FOR ** AND FOR** READ AND GOOD FOR**
LINE 56: FOR "
'RIGHT'* READ ** RIPE
RIPESS
4. PARA 3.
17
LINE 17: FOR '' AFFECT THE 2 COUNTRIES' RELATIONS' READ
'' AFFECT OFFICIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE 2 COUNTRIES''.
LINE 18: FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE WAS VERY CLEAR ABOUT THE POLICIES OF
THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TOWARDS HONG KONG** READ ** THE CHINESE HAD MADE
VERY CLEAR THEIR POLICY TOWARDS
HONG KONG.
LINE 19: FOR ' A SETTLEMENT READ THE SETTLEMENT'', LINE 23: FOR ** OF
CHINESE (SIC)** READ ABOUT THOSE CHINESE (SIC) ''.
LINE 48: FOR SUCH A BARRIER'' READ ** A BARRIER ON THIS
QUESTION''.
CONFIDENTIAL
/LINE 55
CONFIDENTIAL
LINE 551 FOR '' THINGS WOULD HAPPEN'', READ'' THÈRE
WOULD BE PROBLEMS',
LINE 57: DELETE" NEVERTHELESS''
5. PARA 6.
LINE 20: FOR
FOR '' BETWEEN THE 2 COUNTRIES READ BETWEEN THE
2 COUNTRIES, TO COOPERATE AND GO, FORWARD*'.
DELETE ** THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WAS CLEAR ABOUT'.
READ.'' GENERAL POLICY WAS
LINE 28:
LINE 29:
FOR ''GENERAL POLICY
CLEAR"".
6. PARA 7.
LINE 6: FOR '' WITH HIM AND READ ** WITH HIM BEFORE
HAND AND'.
7. PARA 8.
LINE 4: FOR BUT HE HOPED THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE WOULD GIVE IT
SERIOUS CONSIDERATION AND RECONSIDER IT IN THE PSIRIT OF BETTER
RELATIONS' READ ** HE WISHED TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR
IN ADVANCE THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHOULD GIVE SERIOUS
CONSIDERATION TO THE MATTER, EXPLAIN THE CHINESE VIEW, RECONSIDER, AND
RESPOND IN THE SPIRIT OF IMPROVED RELATIONS". ADDIS
FILES.
FED
-2- CONFIDENTIAL
IMMEDIATE
CYPHER CAT A
M PEKING 030938Z
11
CONFIDENTIAL
ao
CONFIDENTIAL
TOP COAT
1972
TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELEGRAM NO 1227 OF 3 NOVEMBER AND TO
IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
RICHARDSON'S LETTER 3/56 OF 2 NOVEMBER TO DAVIES, FED,
CHINESE REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG,
1. PLEASE MAKE THE FOLLOWING CORRECTIONS TO THE VERBATIM ACCOUNT OF
EXCHANGES ON THIS SUBJECT ENCLOSED WITH LETTER UNDER REFERENCE.
2. PARA 1.
LINE 7: FOR
P
FOR WHO UNDERSTOOD THEM** READ AND THEY THOUGHT
THE BRITISH UNDERSTOOD''.
UNNECESSARY HARM** READ '' TROUBLE".
LINE11 FOR
LINE 29: FOR MANY'' READ ''SOME''. DEVELOPMENT OF SINO-BRITISH RELATIONS
RELATIONS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA''. LINE 35: FOR
LINE 36:
CONSULT''READ
FOR >
'' HELP THE
READ
FACILITATE
HAVE TIMELY DISCUSSIONS''.
DELETE ** VERY KINDLY (SIC) "'. FOR " AND THINGS
WOULD'' READ SO THAT THEY DI D'
LINE 42: FOR DIRECT COMMUNICATIONS'' READ '' DIRECT RAIL
COMMUNICATIONS''.
ZCLINE 46: FOR AND FOR" READ AND GOOD FOR".
LINE 50 FOR ''RIGHT' READ "' RIPESS.
4. PARA 3.
LINE 171 FOR '' AFFECT THE 2 COUNTRIES' RELATIONS** READ * AFFECT
OFFICIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE 2 COUNTRIES''. LINE 18: FOR THE SECRETARY
OF STATE WAS VERY CLEAR ABOUT THE POLICIES OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT
TOWARDS HONG KONG'' READ THE CHINESE HAD MADE VERY CLEAR THEIR POLICY
TOWARDS HONG KONG.
וי
''
LINE 19: FOR * A SETTLEMENT READ THE SETTLEMENT''. LINE 23: FOR OF
CHINESE (SIC)
'' OF CHINESE (SIC)'' READ ABOUT THOSE CHINESE (SIC) ''.
LINE 491 *.
FOR SUCH A BARRIER** READ A BARRIER ON THIS
QUESTION''.
CONFIDENTIAL
/LINE 55
CONFIDENTIAL
LINE 55: FOR ** THINGS WOULD HAPPEN'', READ'' THERE
WOULD BE PROBLEMS.
LINE 571 DELETE NEVERTHELESS'
5. PARA 6.
LINE 20: FOR
BETWEEN THE 2 COUNTRIES'' READ " BETWEEN THE
2 COUNTRIES, TO COOPERATE AND GO, FORWARD**.
LINE 28
DÉLETE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WAS CLEAR ABOUT''
''
LINE 29: FOR ''GENERAL POLICY ** READ.'' GENERAL POLICY WAS
CLEAR''.
6. PARA 7.
LINE 6: FOR" WITH HIM AND'' READ * WITH HIM BEFORE
HAND AND''
7. PARA 8.
LINE 4: FOR BUT HE HOPED THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE WOULD GIVE IT
SERIOUS CONSIDERATION AND RECONSIDER IT IN THE PSIRIT OF BETTER
RELATIONS' READ HE WISHED TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR IN ADVANCE THAT THE
SECRETARY OF STATE SHOULD GIVE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO THE MATTER,
EXPLAIN THE CHINESE VIEW, RECONSIDER, AND RESPOND IN THE SPIRIT OF
IMPROVED RELATIONS'', ADDIS
FILES.
FED
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CYPHER/CAT A
E HỒNG KONG G163597
CONFIDENTIAL
KOUTING
CONFIDENTIAL
P
89
Enter FED
You
TO/F C O TELNO 1898 OF 1ST NOVEMBER, 1972. INFO ROUTINE PEKING BERME AND
BCARFE.
180
YOUR TELEGRAM NO. 923 AND PEKING TELEGRAM NO. 1159 TO YOU.
IN
+
HONG KONG/CHINA AIR SERVICES.
WE KNOW OF NO SUCH APPROVAL FROM THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES AND THINK IT
UNLIKELY AT THIS STAGE IT WOULD BE GIVEN.
2. APART FROM OPERATIONAL DIFFICULTIES HERE, C.P.A. AND PROBABLY HONG
KONG AIR INTERNATIONAL WOULD OBJECT STRONGLY TO THE
PROPOSAL WHICH COULD JEOPARDISE LONGER TERM PROSPECTS OF SCHEDULED
ARRANGEMENTS.
3. WE AGREE WITH PARAGRAPH 2 OF PEKING TELEGRAM 1159 AND CONSIDER THAT
AN APPLICATION TO THE HONG KONG D.C.A. FOR APPROVAL OF AN UNSCHEDULED
SERVICE AS DESCRIBED WOULD ALSO BE UNREALISTIC.
FCO PASS COPY HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
ATD
MKIOD
VED
FED
MR BOTTOMLEY
NR WHITEHEAD
(PASSED AS REQUESTED]
COPY TO:
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
OFFICE
CONFIDENTIAL
LONDON W 1
MR J STEPHENSON
CA2 DTI
SHELL MEX HOUSE
MR SHARD CRE ↳ DTI
PRIORITY
CYPHER CAT A
FM PEKING 270633Z
RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED
1972
7
TOP COPY
88
TO PRIORITY FCO TELNO 1159 OF 27 OCTOBER/INFO PRIORITS HONG KONG, BCARFE
HONG KONG AND ROUTINE BERNE.
YOUR TELNO 923.
HONG KONG/CANTON AIR SERVICES BY SWISS COMPANY
I
RY No.50
¿1972
V
1. WE ARE SURE THAT THIS NEWS WILL STIMULATE FURTHER ACTION FROM CPA
(HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO 781) AND HONG KONG AIR INTERNAT- IONAL (HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NO 735). IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO KNOW WHETHER THE SWISS
COMPANY HAVE RECEIVED THE APPROVAL OF THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES FOR SUCH
FLIGHTS. IF THEY HAVE NOT, IT IS CLEARLY IMPRACTICAL FOR THEM TO
COMMENCE THE SERVICE DURING THE CURRENT CANTON FAIR WHICH ENDS ON 15
NOVEMBER.
2. IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY SINO/BRITISH CIVIL AVIATION AGREEMENT, THE
APPLICATION SEEMS UNREAL.
ADDI S
[
FILES
FED
A & T D HKIOD
MR WILFORD
MR WHITEHEAD
RESTRICTED
CONFIDENTIAL
Thankyou.
A.R.
Mr Logán
&
I attach an exchange of telegrams we have had on a
personal basis with the Governor of Hong Kong.
I think that Mr Royle will wish to know about this mysterious
affair before he visits Hong Kong.
26 October 1972
Mani
Eric Norris
REUVED IN
RG NYN *0 ว
+
MA
FGH 2√20.
1)
You. Exam's
پیرا
RE. 31/10
.
Miss Kyle Prith Microw's
Mi
Deyyes.
2/2
2)
FED {
enter
CONFIDENTIAL
PRIORITY
CHER/CAT A
CONFIDENTIAL
86
FM F.C.0, 25172OZ
CONFIDENTIAL
PERSONAL
1972
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG TELNO 932 OF 25 OCTOBER/INFO PRIORITY PEKING
(PERSONAL FOR AMBASSADOR).
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM NORRIS.
YOUR TELEGRAM NO 967.
I HAVE HAD NO CONVERSATIONS ON SUBJECT WITH NETHERLANDS WABASSADOR, BUT
HIS MINISTER, HUYDECOPER, CALLS REGULARLY FOR A GENERAL RUN OVER ASIAN
AFFARIS,
2. Oil 3 OCTOBER HUYDECOPER, DURING ONE OF THESE TALKS, ASKED ABOUT THE
SECRETARY OF STATE'S FORTHCOMING VISIT TO PEKING. เม PARTICULAR HE ASKED
WHETHER WE EXPECTED HONG KONG TO BE DISCUSSED. I SAID THAT I DOUBTED
WHETHER THE SECRETARY OF STATE WOULD RAISE IT HIMSELF, BUT IT WAS OF
COURSE POSSIBLE AND PERHAPS LIKELY THAT THE CHINESE MIGHT DO SO, HE
ASKED WHETHER IT HAD BEEN RAISED DURING MR ROYLE'S VISIT AND
PSPECIFICALLY (SOMEWHAT TO MY SURPRISE) WHETHER QUESTION OF CHINESE
REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG HAD BEEN MENTIONED, I REPLIED THAT HONG KONG
HAD BEEN DISCUSSED BRIEFLY IN SOME ASPECTS, THAT THE ATMOSPHERE HAD NOT
BEEN HEATED, AND THAT NO SPECIFIC REQUESTS OR PROPOSALS WERE MADE. WE
DISCUSSED BRIEFLY THE DIFFICULTIES WE WOULD SEE IN AGREEING TO A CHINESE
REQUEST FOR REPRESENTATION IF ONE WERE MADE.
3. AT MY REQUEST HUYDECOPER CALLED TO-DAY HE SHOWED ME COPY OF
REPORT OF THIS CONVERSATION, WHICH ACCURATELY RECORDS IT AS SET OUT
ABOVE. HE WAS AT A LOSS TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE CONSUL GENERAL (WHO HAD
HAD COPY OF THIS PART OF HUYDECOPER'S LETTER) HAD GOT IMPRESSION YOU
REPORT,
CONFIDENTIAL
1.
CONFIDENTIAL
4. I ASKED HUYDECOPER WHETHER IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT THERE HAD BEEN
ANOTHER CONVERSATION WHICH THE CONSUL GENERAL KNEW OF AND HAD CONFUSED
WITH OURS. HE REPLIED HE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF ONE. I ALSO ASKED HIM WHAT
HAD LED HIM TO RAISE QUESTION OF DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION. HE REPLIED
IT WAS COMMON SUBJECT OF SPECULATION AND REFERRED ME TO ARTICLE BY
RICHARD HUGHES IN SUPPLEMENT IN LONDON V TIMES OF 21 OCTOBER AS EXAMPLE
OF OPEN SPECULATION ON THE SUBJECT.
5. HUYDECOPER SAID HE WOULD IMMEDIATELY TAKE STEPS TO PUT RIGHT CONSUL
GENERALS MISUNDERSTANDING, HE WAS HOWEVER CONFIDENT THAT
THE CONSUL GENERAL WOULD NOT DISCUSS QUESTION OUTSIDE BRITISH
OFFICIAL CIRCLES.
DOUGLAS-HOME
FILES:
SIR E NORRTS
KR WILFORD HD / HKIOD HD / FED
- 2 -
CONFIDENTIAL
·
:
I
CONFIDENTIAL
PRIORITY
CYPHER CAT A
FM FCO 231100Z
CONFIDENTIAL
1972
TO PRIORITY GOVERNOR HONG KONG TELNO 919 OF 23 OCTOBER INFO PEKING
(PERSONAL FOR AMBASSADOR)
YOUR TELNO 967
FOLLOWING FROM WILFORD
SIR. E. NORRIS IS ON LEAVE TILL 25 OCTOBER AND I CANNOT DO ANYTHING TILL
HE RETURNS. I FULLY SHARE YOUR CONCERN.
DOUGLAS-HOME
FILES
HEAD HK I OD
HEAD FED
SIR E NORRIS
MR WILFORD
+
CONFIDENTIAL
1
:
i
PRIORITY CYPHER/CAT A
FM HOM KUNG 210419Z
CONFIDENTIAL
.
CONFIDENTIAL
TO PRIORITY F C O TELNO 967 OF 21ST OCTOBER, 1972. INFO PRIORITY
PEKING(PERSONAL FOR AMBASSADOR).
FOLLOWING PERSONAL FOR SIR ERIC NORRIS.
THE NETHERLANDS CONSUL-GENERAL HAS ASKED US FOR CONFIRMATION THAT WE
HAVE HAD AN OFFICIAL REQUEST FOR CHINESE REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG,
AND THAT IT WAS REJECTED DURING MR. ROYLE'S VISIT. HE QUOTED YOU AS THE
SOURCE, VIA THE AMBASSADOR IN LONDON.
2. WE HAVE EXPLAINED THE SENSITIVITY OF THE ISSUE TO HIM AND THE DAMAGE
THAT COULD BE DONE BY PUBLIC DISCUSSION, AND NOW HOPE KE WILL NOT SPREAD
THIS SCOOP AMONGST HIS COLLEAGUES.
3. IF YOU HAVE IN FACT SPOKEN IN THIS SENSE TO ANYONE, I DO THINK YOU
SHOULD CONSIDER THE ADVISIBILITY OF PUTTING A STOPPER IN THEM. IF THE
ISSUE ONCE GETS INTO THE PRESS, OR THE CHINESE BELIEVE THAT IT IS
GENERALLY KNOWN AMONGST DIPLOMATS, IT WOULD BE A NEW AND COMPLICATING
FACTOR FOR THEM. BOTH THEY AND WE HAVE SO FAR BEEN EQUALLY CAREFUL TO
AVOID THIS HAPPENING.
4. OF COURSE IF THEY CONCLUDED THAT THE STORY WAS BEING SPREAD BY US,
AND IN BREACH OF CONFIDENCE, FOR SOME REASONS OF OUR OWN,
IT COULD COMPLICATE MATTERS STILL FURTHER.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
HEAD H KI OD
HEAD FED
MR WILFORD
SIR E NORRIS
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED)
+
+
CONFIDENTIAL
+
+
38.
T
+
CONFIDENTIAL
(83
BRIEF NO 9
MR ROYLE'S VISIT TO HONG KONG:
11 15 NOVEMBER 1972
HONG KONG/CANTON AIR LINK
1. This question must be considered in the context of the
inter-governmental Air Services Agreement which we hope to
negotiate with the Chinese in the near future. A preliminary
meeting was held between DTI officials and the CAAC Delegation
which visited the United Kingdom in September.
The DTI team
received the firm impression that the Chinese wanted an Air
Services Agreement but that they were not prepared to discuss
substantive points during the preliminary meeting.
2. The Hong Kong-Canton link is not the first priority for us
in negotiating an ASA. Our first priority should be a BOAC route
to Peking, although BOAC's first preference is to enter China via
Hong Kong. Whichever way one considers it Hong Kong considerably
complicates the question of the Air Services Agreement. First
the Chinese regard Hong Kong as an integral part of China. The
CAAC delegation told the DTI that in their view we would have two
points in China, ie Hong Kong and another point. In discussions
with the Canadians the Chinese have said that routeings between
Hong Kong and points in China would be regarded as internal
routeings. We shall clearly face problems on this point when
negotiations begin.
1
CONFIDENTIAL
14.
CONFIDENTIAL
3. There are also internal Hong Kong complications. Cathay Pacific
Airways (CPA) have informed the Hong Kong Government that
they claim sole rights for any direct service between Hong Kong
and China on the grounds that they had taken over the previously
designated carrier Hong Kong Airways. Hong Kong Air International (Sir
John Clague's helicopter company) has also formally expressed
interest in a route between Hong Kong and Canton. The DAI will
have to sort out the respective claims. A Swiss Company Bodmer
Air Taxi has now written to the DTI seeking permission to operate
an air service between Hong Kong and Canton at the times of the
Canton Fair. We await the Governor's views on this, but we should
obviously prefer such a service to be operated by British or Hong
Kong carriera. A draft Air Services Agreement for transmission to
the Chinese in the near future is in course of preparation. The
DTI cannot yet forecast a date when substantive negotiations will
begin.
2
CONFIDENTIAL
FE
Poভ
HK.
う
Cutting dated
DAILY MIRROR
11 NOV 1972
PEACE PROMISE
FOR HONG KONG
C
From WILLIAM WOLFF In Peking
CHAIRMAN MAO has ordered that his Communists are to cause no more
trouble In Hong Kong.
The pledge was given to Portign Becretary Sir Alec Douglas-Bume in
Peking yesterday.
Il aseena that China's claim that Hong Kong belongs to her hus been put
on ice indefin- Itely.
Hao's assurance removes the last problem that clouded the relationship
Bir Alee la now building with Mao'k ministers.
+
H
In return for the pÓN- Interference pledge" Bril- ain is quietly
dropping the word Colony from new pasports saved in Beng Kong and from
other cto- eini papers.
19
Cha
أنا
ق
FRIORITY CYPHER/CAT A
RI FCO 241658Z
RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED
RE.
JER
R.G! TRY NG tuj
27 OCT 1972 Enter FED.
(ATD)
FEM 3/3.1.
19/22
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG TELNO 923 OF 24/10/INFO BGARFE (GOVERNOR PSE PASS)
PEKING INFO SAVING BERNE.
HONG KONG/CHINA AIR SERVICES.
1. THE DTI HAVE RECIEVED A LETTER FROM A SWISS COMPANY, BOOMER AIR TAXI
(H BODMER AND CO AG), ASKING PERMISSION TO OPERATE
A 40 SEAT AIRCRAFT FOR A ''REGULAR LINE SERVICE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND
CANTON 1-4 TIMES A DAY DURING THE CHINESE EXPORT COMMODITIES FAIR.
·
2. IT IS NOT CLEAR WHETHER THE SERVICE IS INTENDED TO BE A SCHEDULED OR
NON-SCHEDULED OPERATION BUT THE DTI ARE INCLINED SIMPLY TO REFER THE
APPLICANT TO YOUR DCA AS TILE AUTHORITY DEALING WITH NON-SCHEDULED
TRAFFIC RIGHTS AT HONG KONG. HOWEVER IN VIEW OF THE NATURE OF THE
APPLICATION THEY WOULD BE GLAD TO LEARN YOUR VIEWS. 3. NO DOUBT YOU WILL
HAVE IN MIND THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG- OPERATORS BOTH IN RELATION TO
THE FAIR AND, IN THE LONGER TERM, TO CANTON. THE EXPERIENCE OF OPERATING
TO CANTON FOR THE FAIR WOULD PRESUMABLY HAVE LONGER TER VALUE. THE
CHINESE MIGHT FIND İT ODD IF WE WERE TO ALLOW A CHARTER SERVICE OPERATED
BY A SWISS OPERATOR BEFORE WE HAVE ANY DIRECT SERVICES FROM HONG KONG*
OF OUR OWN.
DOUGLAS-HOME
FILES
ATD
HKIOD
WED
FED
MR BOTTOMLEY MR WHITEHEAD
COPIES TO
MR J STEHENSON CA2 DTI SHELL MEX HOUSE MR SHARD CRE4 DTI
RESTRICTED
·
SECRET
81
I
!
IMMEDIATE
CYPHER CAT A
Ai F C O 201710Z
SECRET
(FEX
3/20/2
1972
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TELNO 912 OF 23 OCTOBER/INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING,
FOLLOWING FOR POLITICAL ADVISER FROM FAR EASTERN DEPARTMENT,
CLARK'S LETTER TO YOU OF 11 OCTOBER:
SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO CHINA,
1. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE OPERATIVE PASSAGES ON CHINESE REPRESENTATION IN
HONG KONG WHICH HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR INCLUSION. IN THE BRIEFS
CONCERNED.
(A) STEERING BAĪEF
BEGINS:
BY FAR THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IS THE CHINESE PROPOSAL THAT THEY SHOULD
HAVE AN OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE IN HONG KONG. THE SECRETARY OF STATE
WILL NOT WISH TO BROACH THE SUBJECT HIMSELF. MR ROYLE TOLD CH'IAO
KUAN-HUA THAT WE COULD
NOT ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL, BUT THE CHINESE HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY INTEND
10 REVERT TO IT. IF, AS SEEMS INEVITABLE, THE CHINESE DO SO, THE
SECRETARY OF STATE WILL WISH TO MAKE IT CLEAR TO THE CHINESE THAT, WHILE
HE HAS CAREFULLY CONSIDERED THE PROPOSAL, HE DOES NOT FEEL ABLE TO
ACCEPT IT, ENDS.
+
-H
SECRET
/(B)
7
SECRET
(B) SUPPLEMENTARY BRIEF ON HONG KONG MATTERS.
BEGINST
CHINESE ARE VIRTUALLY CERTAIN TO BRING UP THEIR PROPOSAL THAT AN
OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS SHOULD BE
ESTABLISHED HONG KONG. IF, BY SOME CHANCE, THEY DO NOT DO THIS, THE
SECRETARY OF STATE WILL NOT WISH TO BROACH THE SUBJECT HIMSELF.
FOINT TO MAKE.
+ -
(1) WE HAVE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED THE PROPOSAL AND THE CONSIDERATIONS PUT
BY THE VICE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO MR ROYLE WHEN THEY DISCUSSED
THIS SUBJECT AT THE END OF MAY, (11) AS BOTH GOVERNMENTS ARE AWARE THE
SITUATION IN HONG KONG, IS ONE OF GREAT DELICACY. IT WOULD, IN OUR VIEW,
DE A MISTAKE TO DISTURB THIS SITUATION. ANY SUCH DISTURBANCE COULD
DO DAMAGE TO RELATIONS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA AT A TIME WHEN BOTH
GOVERNMENTS ARE KEEN TO MAINTAIN, AND BUILD ON, THE RECENT IMPROVEMENT
IN RELATIONS, OUR FEAR IS THAT THE ESTABLISH- MENT OF A REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
· IN HONG KONG COULD HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT. WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT
SUFFICIENT PRACTICAL BENEFITS WOULD ACCRUE EITHER TO THE CHINESE
GOVERNMENT OR TO THE BRITISH SIDE TO JUSTIFY THE RISK
OF SUCH AN APPOINTMENT. RELATIONS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA ARE TOO
IMPORTANT TO JUSTIFY THE INJECTION OF ANYTHING MICH MIGHT INFLUENCE THEM
ADVERSELY.
(III) (IF PRESSED) THERE ARE ALREADY A LARGE NUMBER OF
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.