PIL No.
PART
DO NOT RETAIN FILES AND PAPERS UNNECESSARILY
RETURN THEM TO REGISTRY FOR BU. OR PA
YEAR
STAMP
S
(N.B. The grading of this jacket must be the same as that of the highest
graded document contained in it. The appropriate upgrading slip must be
affixed when ever necessary.)
CONFIDENTIAL
Contents checked for transfer to
(Sad)
DR.
D27 JUL 1972
H.M. DIPLOMATIC SERVICE
DEPT.
or POST
Lil.
No. FEC 3/540/10
FILE No.
TITLE: STATUS OF
IN United Kingdom
Univers
REFER TO
NAME
(and dept. when necessary)
(Part
)
CHARGÉ D'AFFAITES
of CHINA
REFER TO
<p> <span></span></p><!--more--><p></p>
TO SEE:
NAME
DATE
(and dept, when necessary)
TO SEE:
DATE
(-37.12|
Rey
Lot LVA PA?
Weeded
|| 12/
1512
1/10
REFER TO
NAME
TO
DATE
(and dept, when necessary) SEE:
FCO 21/670
8
426
(N.B. The grading of this jacket must be the same as that of the highest
prodest
we upgrading slip must be affixed when ever necessary.)
document contained in it. The
CONFIDENTIAL
CLOSED UNTIL
2001
Registry Address
Room No. ...724-
King Charle, Street.
YEAR STAMP
370
:
1
I
Ꮀ
1
CONFIDENTIAL
Mr. Wilford
Miss Beas
Private Office
Aquees. 1.8. Аднад
18
13
many like to see this
41.
mer
Tels sent for
despatch.
J.M.
S.I
STATUS OF OUR CHARGE ATTAIRES IN PEKING
Problem
When Mr. Denson was appointed to be Head of Mission in
Peking in February 1969, he was sent as Chargé d'Affaires
ad interim, and so described in the telegram from the then
Secretary of State to Mr. Ch'en Yi of 22 February 1969.
Protocol Department consider that as the appointed Head of
Mission, he should really have been Chargé d'Affaires
en titre from the beginning.
Chinese that he has been appointed Chargé d'Affaires
en titre?
Recommendation
Should we now inform the
2. I recommend that we should inform the Chinese that
Mr. Denson has been appointed Chargé d'Affaires en titre.
A telegram to Peking is submitted, together with the
appropriate message from the Secretary of State to the
Chinese Foreign Minister. Protocol and Conference
Department concur.
Argument
3. In 1969 Mr. Demson succeeded Mr. Cradock, who was
Chargé d'Affaires ad interim following the departure of
/Sir Donald Hopson.
LAST PAPER
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
-
This
Sir Donald Hopson. At that time we were concerned to show
that our relations vere far from being regarded by us as
normal, and Mr. Denson was appointed as Chargé d'Affaires
ad interim. The Chinese had withdrawn their Chargé
d'Affaires en titre, Mr. Hsiung, in 1966, and we wished to
keep open the option of sending a Grade 3 Officer.
we do not intend doing at least until Mr. Denson has
completed his tour in Easter 1972. Since then our relations
have improved steadily: in 1970 we have seen the release of
all those detained British subjects about whom we have
expressed particular concern. The Chinese Chargé d'Affaires,
Mr. Ma, has asked me several times recently when we proposed
to appoint a Chargé d'Affaires en titre. It could be that
Mr. Hsiung would now return if we raise Mr. Denson's status.
I think that, after the release of Mr. Johnston, this would
be an appropriate moment.
4. Mr. Denson is well regarded in Peking and respected by
the Chinese. I do not consider that this appointment would
be seen as a slight to the Chinese by downgrading the post.
5. His appointment will not improve his access to the higher levels of
the Chinese Foreign Ministry, but it should mean that he will no longer
be placed automatically at the bottom of every diplomatic function which
he attends
BK (Mr. Denson's letter of 11 December 1970).
The Chinese
customarily place Chargés d'Affaires en titre after Ambassadors but
before Chargés d'Affaires ad interim. gesture will be useful in
indicating our interest in
raising gradually the level of representation.
The
CONFIDENTIAL
- 2
/6.
D
CONFIDENTIAL
6.
Paragraph 6 of Mr. Denson's letter of 15 December to
me records that the idea would be acceptable to him.
7.
A background note, prepared by Research Department,
sets out the history of our level of relations.
Hiio
Copies to:-
SALMugan
am
not convincay that
(J. A. L. Morgan) 30 December 1970
të Tuzome will
}
great advance by Mi
What M! Ma meant
Protocol and Conference Department Sir 9. Tomlinson
Personnel (Operations) Department
really
fure that
askip
we should
sent back a
Chage
on time
woo when winds are replace
CONFIDENTIAL
3 -
Si D. Hope
level
is
ar Grade 3
Never thelast-do
not see any reason for not
M?
oring as M. Morgan
Ku hoffe
(3/10)
CONFIDENTIAL
enter
TL
12
S.M.
22.12
Office of the British Chargé d'Affaires
FEKING
TEC
11 December 1970
ZA
Dear John,
Thank you for your letter of 27 November about diplomatic precedence. 2.
I am afraid that even now I may not have made my point quite clear.
There has never been any doubt about where the Chinese now place Chergés
d'Affaires en titre, that is to say immediately after Ambassadors and
immediately before all Chargés d'Affaires ad interim. This is where my
Dutch colleague is placed. Apparently this was not always so, but,
according to paragraph 5 of the memorandum by Far Eastern section of
Research Department dated 26 November, enclosed in Appleyard's letter to
Allan of 3 December, the Chinese accepted our practice in 1954. I should
certainly not wish the Chinese Chargé d'affaires ad interim in London to
be given the same precedence as if he were Chargé d'Affaires en titre.
You state that Ma takes his place among the Chargés d'Affaires ad
interim "strictly in terms of the length of time" he has been in London.
In fact, I presume you mean the length of time he has been Chargé
d'Affaires ad interim since Na was in fact in London when Shen P'ing was
Charge d'Affaires ad interim after the departure of Hsuing. I also
presume that Ma's seniority is not affected by occasional temporary
absences from London such as his visit to Faris. The point I am trying
to establish is whether we draw a distinction between Chargés d'affaires
ad interim of Embassies on the one hand and of Offices on the other, a
practice for which, as I said in paragraph 1 of my letter of 14
November, Satow lends some support. It appears from your letter that we
do not and that all Chargés d'Affaires are treated alike. This means
that in due course F'ei will work his way up the ladder as a has done
whereas, irrespective of how long I stay in Feking, I shall remain
permanently at the bottom, Perhaps you could confirm this and say
whether Irotocol Department also regard the relative placing of Chargé.
d'Affaires ad interim as a matter under which they are bound by the
Vienna Convention and hence would be unable to discriminate against the
Chinese?
3. If the situation is as I have stated, then I am afraid that there is
nothing to be done here. The Doyen is totally ineffective and would not
say boo to a Deputy Section Chief in Protocol Department even though his
own position were affected. But I will continue to keep you posted about
my treatment and you can judge whether there is another suitable
occasion for you to raise it.
2.A.L. Morgan, Esq.
Far Eastern Department
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
S.W.1
Yours ever John
(J.B. Denson)
VALOIDENTIAL
TOP COPY
CYPHER/CAT'A'
CONFIDENTIAL
ROUTINE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
TO PEKING
TELEGRAM NUMBER 456
22 DECEMBER 1970 (FED)
CONFIDENTIAL. 221910Z.
10
YOUR TELEGRAM NUMBER 838.
YOU ARE RIGHT THAT THE CHINES PROCEDURE IS INCORRECT, STRICTLY SPEAKING,
THEY SHOULD HAVE SENT A TELEGRAM FROM CH'EN YI. THE CHINESE CLEARLY HAVE
A GENUINE DIFFICULTY OVER HIS ABSENCE AND WE SHOULD PREFER NOT TO MAKE
AN ISSUE OF THIS MATTER, PARTICULARLY IN THE LIGHT OF JOHNSTON'S
FORTHCOMING RELEASE, WE SUGGEST THEREFORE THAT YOU SEND A ROUTINE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
DOUGLAS-HOME.
FILES:
F.E.D.
P.& C.D.
P.U.S.D.
MR. VILFORD
SİR S. TOMLINSON
"
CONFIDENTIAL
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry No.
DEPARTMENT
ED
Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should
reach addressee(s)
Despatched
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Sporer
SecretTM
Confidential
Restricted
Unclassified
PRIORITY MARKINGS
(Date)
Finch
paediate}
Priority" Routine
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
---------11
обки
CYT
[Security_classification"
-if any
J......-----..
HE
CONFIDENTIAL
FLI
2219102
En Clair. Code
[
Privacy marking -if any
1..
PERITO
(date)
Cypher/
Draft Telegram to:---
Peking
No. 2156
(Date) 22/1
And to:-
[Codeword-if any)
Addressed to
telegram N.........
And to
repeated for information to
PM
Saving to....
יויו-וויי
MILLE SLO-.........
LES DE LEZZAonda ki nas sam
Repeat to:--
Saving to:-
Distribution:
Your telegram number 838.
You are right in suggesting that the Chinese
procedure is incorrect. Strictly speaking, they
should have sent a telegram from Ch'en Yi,Farenga
clearly Mübistan. te-ne. Howeres, the Chinese have a
genuine difficulty over the absence of Chien It and
we should prefer not to make an issue of this matter,
particularly in the light of Johnston's forthcoming
release. We suggest therefore that you send a
Hte acknowledgement.
writing
Files
FED
18001
24/10/10
Protocol and
Conference Dept.
PUSD Mr. Wilford Copies to:-
$ 22/02
SM.
22.12
A d
ཟ
1
CYPHER/CATA
ROUTINE PEKING
TELEGRAM NUMBER 838
SCHFIDENTIAL 2180LOZ
CONFIDENTIAL
TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
21 DECEMBER 1970
F
Ec psaglio
I
WE HAVE RECEIVED A THIRD PERSON NOTE DATED 21 DECEMBER
FROM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS STATING THAT MR. MA
WILL SHORTLY LEAVE AND UPON HIS DEPARTURE MR. P'EI TSIEN-
CHANG WILL TAKE UP THE POST OF CHARGE D'AFFAIRES AD INTERIM
OF THE OFFICE OF THE CHINESE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES
IN LONDON.
WE ARE ASKED TO CONVEY THIS INFORMATION TO THE QUOTE FOREIGN
AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM UNQUOTE
2.
ACCORDING TO OUR PROTOCOL, THIS PROCEDURE IS INCORRECT
AND YOU WILL NO DOUBT WISH TO POINT IT OUT TO THE CHINESE.
PENDING YOUR COMMENTS, WE SHALL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE NOTE
MR. DEBON
FILES:
F.EAJZERI D.
PROT.& COH.D.
P.U.3.D.
KM. VELFORD
DODDD
CONFIDENTIAL
C
[
L
Sednulo Chanel 3*1steiros
Mim
21 December, 1970
Despatched
22/12
AWR
2.
▲ P.5. to my letter of 17 December.
Mr. E duly poid his farowall calls on Er. Royle and Kichael wilford (tir
3. Tomlinson was on leave) on 21 December. Hr. Royle olad that he had
hoped Mr. Ka would have given us information about Er. Johnsten's
impending relcuao as a farewell prezent. Kr. Ea said
that he had hoped to see the over 70 patriotic compatriots as hie
fareveli present. He added that 25. Johnston's
etse was unior coraideration by the appropriate authorition (no mention
of soon).
3.
Otherwise it was all very cordial with lir. Ka trying hard to say
friendly things.
J. B. Denson, Esq., 0.3.E.,
PASIO.
Copies toi
A. P. Haddocka, Esq.1 ното иска.
J. D. I. Boyd, Esq., WASUINOTON.
+
RAJERICHO
(J. &. L. Horgan)
+
+
Fi
ва устри
AND O NIJE
enter
SM
22 12
Office of the British Chargé d'Affaires
FEXING
15 December 1970
L
رقی
Dear John,
In your letter of 13 November you reported some interesting remarks Lade
by Na at a dinner on 1 November about the level of representation at
this Post. The following are some personal and entirely informal
comments which you may like to have in your mind when the in tter is
discussed in the Office. They are in no sense recommendations.
2.
As regards an exchange of ambassadors, the Chinese have made it clear on
a number of occasions that the two major stumbling blocks are our vote
in the United Nations and our attitude to the status of Formosa which
they may regard the existence of a Consulate at Tansui as symbolising.
At the next General Assembly we may vote in a way which the Chinese
consider satisfactory, that is to say if the "Important Question"
resolution is not again put or if it is, we oppose it, or in other
circumstances do not support any other resolution such as one one
divided nations which the Chinese would regard as a device to block
their entry. The question of Taiwan seens altogether more intractable
and as I understand the present trend of thinking in London, we are
unlikely to change our attitude either on the juridical status of the
island or decide to close down the Consulate. Despite the fact that He
did not specifically mention the Consulate, I have doubts as to whether
the Chinese would consider our attitude satisfactory so long as it
remains open. I think, therefore, that we can for the present put aside
any idea of an exchange of ambassadors. We can, however, take the line
that we are quite ready for an exchange but it is the Chinese who
continue to impose conditions.
3. It is interesting that Ka should have three times asked when we
intended to send back"a Chargé d'Affaires en titre. This suggests sone
desire on the Chinese part to achieve at least a measure of greater
normalisation in their relations with us. This is probably part of their
general policy of improving relations all round and demonstrating to the
world at large that even when there have been severe strains in the past
and difficulties still exist, they now wish to develop normal diplomatic
contacts. (In this context it is significant that at a recent dinner
given by Chinese officials for the Yugoslav Ambassador and Yugoslav
trade representatives, the senior Chinese said out of the blue
C.A.L. Morgan, Esq.
Far Eastern Department
Foreign and Commonwealth (ffice
LUNDI, S.W.1
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
/that...
next
FERSONAL AND CONFILESTIAL
that the burning of our Mission in 1967 had been the work of extremists
and implied that the Chinese Government should be dissociated from it.
This is, as you know, not the first time that this has been said.) The
fact remains, however, that it was the Chinese who withdrew their Chargé
d'Affaires en titre in January 1967 for reasons to do with the Cultural
Revolution and föllowing the burning of the Mission held our Chargé
d'Affaires prisoner for a year virtually compelling us to lower the
level of our representation if for no other reason because no suitable
office and residential accommodation was available. In equity,
therefore, it is for the Chinese to take the initiative in sending back
a Chargé d'Affaires en titre. Other objections to our making this
gesture would presumably be the continued detention of British subjects,
particularly Johnston which Mr. Royle recently described as a "serious
obstacle" to an improvement in our relations.
4. We might, however, consider it worthwhile making a gesture if there
were benefits to be gained from raising the level of representation here
or having a higher level of Chinese representation in London.
Undoubtedly such a move would improve the atmosphere and might
eventually
But from the yield fruits in the political and commercial fields.
practical short-term point of view in Feking, I think that apart from
the anomalies of my being a "permanent" Chargé d'Affaires a.i. (about
which we have had separate correspondence) and the level of routine
access to Chinese officials, it does not make too much difference
whether we have a Chargé d'Affaires a.i. or en titre. Only ambassadors
(and not all of them) see Chou En-lai. I can, if I so wish, see a Vice-
Minister. If a Foreign Minister is appointed, it is possible that I
might have difficulty in seeing him but if the question were important
enough, he might recive me and if not, whatever representations were
made would be relayed by a senior official. On the political reporting
and trade side, provided the calibre of the staff is maintained, I
venture to suggest we do not lose much by being represented at a lower
level. In the state of relations which are likely to persist between the
United Kingdom and China, it is scarcely conceivable that we should be
able to give the Chinese advice (I doubt if anyone does), though in
certain circumstances, for example if a conference on Indo-China were in
prospect, a more senior representative could bring greater weight to
bear.
5. You are better placed than I to judge the position at the London end
but as I see it, the present working relationship is good and we will
lose little if it does not change for the moment.
At
6. All the foregoing suggests that we should play the and long. this
point I shall have to bring in some factors affecting my personal
position. When I spoke to Derek Day in the summer, I agreed that if it
was thought desirable I would be prepared to stay on in Peking until
about Easter 1972 at the latest. This would have the advantage of my
being here for the Inspection which is to take place in November,
December of min year and would enable me to have the Office and the
Louse in smooth running order for whoever takes over. I am still content
A to stick to this timetable if it is acceptable for wider reasons.
convenient time to review the position might be in the autumn of next
year by which time we shall be considering our vote in the General
Assembly and we shall have seen whether there has been any progress in
ÞERSONAL ND CONFIDENTIAL
/the...
VERSONAL AND CULFIDENTIAL
the release of further British subjects, particularly Johnston. You
might then consider whether there was justification for our taking the
initiative in raising the level and possibly use such a change as a card
with the Chinese. The change could then be made (or not as the case
night be) when I leave in 1972.
6. If a gesture were thought desirable for any reason at an earlier
stage, it might be made by raising the representation from ad interim to
en titre but leaving e where I am for the moment and deciding leter
whether the post should revert to Grade 3. The change would have to be
presented to the Chinese in some way as a "promotion".
Since I have earlier suggested that in practical terms we should not
gain much by such a change, you may think this is only because I would
like to sit next to Derksen on official occasions and chatter about
music. But I leave the idea with you.
Yours ever, Jam
(J.B. Jenson)
PERSCHAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
ká jisoofia
RISTRICTED
Despatche
17 Desember, 1970
17/12
DR
5
Thank you for your letter of 1 December about P'i hisn=tsang" (ean we
agree on this spelling?).
2.
On 7 December the Chinese Office asked whether P'ei could call on me. I
offered his that afternoon, but was told that I suspect that this meant
that he had not
He eventually came on 9 December te dinner with
teo tired.
yet read all the briefu.
and he, Hn and Chiang
16 December.
has asked not
3. Ma is leaving on 28 December by BKA to be searched. Fermal
notific-tim of P'ei will be made you in Peking. Then I enquired whether
Ir. Høimg's name should be kept on the list, be said that he had not yet
been ziven instructions.
Ma said that he hoped on return to go to work in the countryside. I
Zound Fei lively, well informed and with a good sense of humour. He said
he had three children, 19, 13 and 11, and that his wife would join him
after the Spring Festival. He had beam ofurated at a "sort of
university" at
Taing tas.
5. In the course of our talks I left P'ei in no doubt that the main
obstacle in our relations was the continued detention af British
subject:, in particular Johnston. P'si replied at length on the usual
lines. À now these repeated on both oocasions war think the relatives of
the confrontation prisoners in Hong Kong ware growing indignant at their
continued detention. While not vinhing to read too much into this, say
change ef wording is notsvertay. It could be a warning iight that
popular indignation on this matter kight now need to be demon- strated
in Hong Kong. Um Jojnaton, kis wording was also #lightly dife, ant, in
paying that "departments concerned would soon deal with his case", I
explained at length the family unyent of christusa and said that release
by then would be particularly well received.
He devoted a great deal of tina to our "unsatisfactory attitude" to the
Important Item Rosolution, nad repeated that it was a bar to any shange
in the level at our representation, À now line on this was that he said
we were breaking one of the tive principàss of poncesful so-ezistonsej
that relating to
J. 3. Denson, Kuq., 0.3.I.,
/ territorial
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.