fco-21-80-uk-consideration-of-actions-to-be-taken-against-chinese-mission-and-new-china-news-agency-(ncna)-in-london — Page 4

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VED IN SVES No.31

108

F23/201

9th November, 1967.

J. Murray, Esq.,

Far Eastern Department,

Foreign Office,

London S.V.1.

81

CONFIDENTIAL

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Mr W

Dear Murray,

I write with reference to your letter dated 13th October, 1967,
regarding the possibility of imposing delays on goods despatched from
the Office of the Chinese Mission.

Te note that you indicate the possibility of enlisting the help of the
pelice in order to give a warning when despatch of goods from the
Chinese Mission was likely. In view of the vast quantities of export
goods dealt with our Shipping Officers would need not merely a warning
but full information before they would be able to locate the goods. They
would need to know the port or place of exportation, the name of the
ship or the airline operator, and the identifying marks on the package.
For exports in general we have no legal powers to detain unless (a) the
goods are brought to a quay or loaded in a place or manner contrary to
our regulations, or (b) there is some contravention of Exchange Control
or Board of Trade export licensing regulations,

As regards any attempt to apply your proposal to exports by parcel post
it would obviously be necessary to seek the oo-operation of the Post
Office. The problems of identification and the problem of carrying out a
scrutiny without delaying other mail are only too clear. Here also the
only legal grounds for detention would be contravention of Post Office,
Exchange Control, or export licensing regulations.

On the personal export side there is no requirement that personal or
house- hold effects should be pre-entered. By this we mean that no entry
is required to be presented before exportation. Our only delaying tactic
here would be to specially examine effects to see whether there were
included any goods the export of which was prohibited without a licence,
but we should certainly need full and timely information to do this.
Registered and other baggage sent in advance of the owner is controlled
very selectively at Victoria Station and the ports. In view of the Home
Office Restriction on Kabarkation Order of 1967 relating to Chinese
Nationals it seems highly improbable that any such baggage or effects
will be presented for clearance. On being advised of any permitted
smbarkation of a Chinese National I do not see how our Officers could
employ anything more than a "work to rule" tactic, unless of course an
Exchange Centri or Export licensing offence was discovered.

CONFIDENTIAI

/I

2

1

- 2 -

J. Murray, Esq.

9th November, 1967

I think it must be concluded that with our necessarily selective
controls, it is doubtful whether we could achieve the sort of effective
sanction you have in wind.

Yours sincerely,

You will

(H. A. O'Neill)

I

CONFIDENTIAL

F23/20

CYPHER/CAT.A AND BY BAG

CONFIDENTIAL

PRIORY FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING

107

TOP COPY

TELNO. 975

10 NOVEMBER 1967

(FED)

106

CONFIDENTIAL.

ADDRESSED TO EKIN

ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NO 975 OF 10 NOVEMBER REPEATED FOR
INFORMATION TO HONG KONG AND SAVING TO WASHINGTON AND PARIS. M..P.T.
RESTRICTIONS ON THE CHINESE MISSION.

IN EXPLAINING OUR DECISION WE SHALL TAKE THE FOLLOWING LINE. (A) THERE
HAVE BEEN INDICATIONS OF A DESIRE ON THE PART OF THE CHINESE TO RETURN
TO A MORE NORMAL STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THEIR DEALINGS WITH FOREIGN
COUNTRIES. OUR ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS WERE IMPOSED AT A TIME WHEN THERE
WAS COMPLETE UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE FUTURE WELL-BEING OF OUR MISSION. WE
NOW THINK IT TIME TO RETURN TO A MORE NORMAL STATE OF AFFAIRS.

(B) WE HOPE THAT THIS WILLINGNESS ON OUR PART WILL BE MATCHED

BY A CORRESPONDING WILLINGNESS ON THE PART OF THE CHINESE AND THAT THERE
WILL BE AN EARLY IMPROVEMENT OF THE CONDITIONS FOR OUR MISSION IN
PEKING. IF PRESSED WE SHALL HOWEVER HAVE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT WE SHALL
IMPOSE THE RESTRICTIONS AGAIN IF THERE IS NO RESPONSE FROM PEKING OR
MORE TROUBLE THERE.

(C) OUR BEST HOPE OF SETTLING OTHER OUTSTANDING ISSUES WITH THE CHINESE,
E.G. THE DETENTION OF MR GREY, LIES IN RE-ESTABLISHING MORE NORMAL
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS.

SOSFA

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.0.

F.E.D.

P.

Q.

SSSSS

CONFIDENTIAL

Copies to: TRD +

TN Dept.

14/Vi

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Registry No.

DEPARTMENT

3120

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION PRIORITY MARKINGS

Top Sacrac Secret Confidential "Lestricted

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Restrictions on the Chinese Mission

In explaining our decision we shall take the

following line:

(a) There have been indications of a desire

on the part of the Chinese to return to a more

noxmel state of affairs in their dealings with

Our additional restrictions

were imposed at a time when there was complete

washgan foreign countries.

VAQ-5 taju

174 So uncertainty about the future well-being of our

179

Distribution:-

Copies to:-

Kission. By keeping than in force for almost-

three months we have shown our concern et-the

unhappy events of last August. We now think it

time to return to a more normal state of affairs.

(b) We hope that this willingness on our

part will be matched by a corresponding willingness

on the part of the Chinese and that there will be

an early improvement of the conditions for our

honeyw

Kission in Peking. If pressed we shal

ahall have to

make it clear that we shall impose the restrictiona

again if there is no response from Peking or more

trouble there.

CONFIDENTIAL

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(c) Cur best hope of settling other outstanding issues

with the Chinese, e.g. the detention of Mr. Grey, lies in

re-establishing more normal diplomatic relations.

Awww.

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

(0224) (2) 300M 18/63 SA

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F23/20

CYPHER/CAT.A AND BY BAG

CONFIDENTIAL

PRIORITY FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING

TELNO. 974

10 NOVEMBER 1967 (FED)

robi

CONFIDENTIAL.

ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NO. 974 OF 10 NOVEMBER REPEATED FOR
INFORMATION TO HONG KONG AND SAVING TO WASHINGTON AND PARIS.

F222/720

YOUR TELEGRAM NO. 166: RESTRICTIONS ON THE CHINESE MISSION.

PLEASE SEEK AN INTERVIEW WITH THE CHINESE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON
14 NOVEMBER AND INFORM THEM THAT WITH EFFECT FROM 21 NOVEMBER WE ARE
RETURNING TO THE 35-MILE LIMIT WHICH OBTAINED BEFORE LAST AUGUST AND
THAT THE POLICE SURVEILLANCE WILL ALSO RETURN TO THE STATUS QUO ANTE. IF
ASKED, YOU SHOULD SAY THAT, ALTHOUGH THE REQUIREMENT FOR EXIT PERMITS
WILL CONTINUE, THIS SHOULD PRESENT NO DIFFICULTY IN PRACTICE. (IN VIEW
OF THE DESIRABILITY OF AVOIDING PREMATURE PUBLICITY WE DECIDED TO DELAY
ACTION WITH THE CHINESE UNTIL AFTER A PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION WHICH IS UP
FOR ANSWER ON 13 NOVEMBER).

2. YOU SHOULD ADD THAT OUR DECISION IS INTENDED AS FURTHER EVIDENCE OF
MY DESIRE TO SET BOTH COUNTRIES ON A BETTER COURSE IN THEIR RELATIONS
AND THAT I HOPE THAT THIS WILLINGNESS ON OUR PART WILL BE MATCHED ON THE
CHINESE SIDE. WE WOULD LIKE TO GET BACK TO NORMAL WORKING CONDITIONS FOR
YOUR MISSION AND THE CHINESE MISSION IN LONDON AS SOON AS POSSIBLE: IN
PARTICULAR WE WOULD LIKE NORMAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TRANSFER OF STAFF
AND THE REGULAR ISSUE OF EXIT AND ENTRY VISAS TO BE RESUMED.

3. WE SHALL BE NOTIFYING THE CHINESE MISSION HERE OF THE CHANGES AFTER
YOU HAVE TAKEN ACTION.

14.

Now se

reply

CONFIDENTIAL

Copies to: IRD +

in Dept.

13.

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CONFIDENTIAL

FOREIGN OFFICE TELEGRAM NO. 974 TO PEKING

4. WE DO NOT INTEND TO MAKE A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE RELAXATION,
EITHER IN ADVANCE OR WHEN IT COMES INTO EFFECT, AND WE WOULD HOPE TO BE
ABLE TO PLAY THE ISSUE AS QUIETLY AS POSSIBLE. WE THINK IT UNLIKELY THAT
THE CHINESE WILL PUBLICIBE OUR DECISION BEFORE IT IS PUT INTO EFFECT,
BUT IT WILL BE IMMEDIATELY OBVIOUS WHEN THE SURVEILLANCE IS LIFTED,
THEREAFTER WE SHALL HAVE TO CONFIRM PUBLICLY THAT THE RESTRICTIONS HAVE
BEEN RELAXED AND EXPLAIN OUR ACTION TO THE PRESS AND IF NECESSARY
PARLIAMENT,

5. GEE M.I.F.T.

BOSTA

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

7.0.

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CONFIDENTIAL

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NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Registry No.

DEPARTMENT

√3/20

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION PRIORITY MARKINGS

Top Secret Secret

Confidential Restricted

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Emergency Immediate ! Priority Routing

(Date)

Despatched

· Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should,

reach addressee(s)

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Peking

974 (date)

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10/11

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repeated for information to

Hong Kong

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HONG HONG

2300

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Your telegram No. 166 of 20 October7 :

//trictions on the Chinese kission.

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to:

Saving to:

ASHTAUTUN

PAKIS

179

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Sar

Distribution:-

Departmental

F.E.D.

Coples to:-

Please seek an interview with the Chinese

Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 14 November and

inform them that with effect from 21 Noverber we

are returning to the 35-mile limit which obtained

before last August and that the police surveillance.

will also return to the status quo ante.

although

If

asked, you should say that the requirement for

exit permits will continue, but that this should

present no difficulty in practice. (In view of

the desirability of avoiding premature publicity

we decided to delay action with the Chinese until

after a Parliamentary Question which is up for

answer on 13 November.)

2. You should add that our decision is intended

as further evidence of my desire to set both

countries on a better course in their relationa

and that I hope that this willingness on our part

will be matched on the Chinese side. We would

like to get back to normal working conditions for

/your

CUR PIDENZIAL

your Mission and the Chinese Lission in London as soon as

possible; in particular we would like normal arrangements for

the transfer of staff and the regular issue of exit and entry

visas to be resumed.

3. We shall be notifying the Chinese Kission here of the

changes after you' have taken action.

4. We do not intend to make a public announcement about the

relaxation, either in advance or when it comes into effect, and

we would hope to be able to play the issue as quietly as possible.

We think it unlikely that the Chinese will publicise our

decision before it is put into effect. But it will be immediately

obvious when the surveillance is lifted. Thereafter we shall

have to confirm publicly that the restrictions have been relaxed

and explain our action to the press and if necessary Parliament .

Seạ m.i.f.t

5.

-

lo Nos.

(13907) (2)

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

F

HOME OFFICE

Horseferry House, Dean Ryle Street, LONDONS.W.1

Telephone: Victoria 6655, ext.

Telex: 24986

Our reference: QPB/59. 50/13/9

Your reference:

Dear Murray,

8th November, 1967

This has been aw-taken by en 5.

پر

And paw.

I wrote to you on 20th October about reductions

in the present requirements for keeping Chinese officials

under surveillance.

The Commissioner of Police of the

Metropolis has asked us again about this and we should be grateful if
you could now let us have a reply.

Yours sincerely,

R. A. James

J. Murray, Esq.

p.a.

RECEIVED IN

ARCHIVES No.31

1 NOV 1967

FC3120

E

D

9/11

KONFIDENTIAL

FOREIGN OFFICE, 8.5.1.

9 November, 1967.

The Foreign Secretary has come to the conclusion that it is now time to
relax the restrictions on the Chinese officials in London. He proposes
that there should be a return to the 35 mile travel limit in fores
before August, and that the Police surveillanos should be removed. The
requirement for exit permits sust, however, be retained. Details are
given in his minute of 7 November to the Prime Minister, nopy of which
is attached.

2. The Prime Minister ruled that, on the assumption that the Home
Becretary was in agreement, there was no need for the matter to go to
Cabinet.

3. I assume from your letter QPB 20/3/3 of 20 October that the Home
Escretary will in fast welcome this development, but I should be glad if
you could confirm thië to be by telephone.

We propose that the rednotion in restrictions should take effect from 21
November and that the Chinees Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be nor
inforsed on 14 Lovember. (*s should prefer not to take action with the
Chinese before a Parliamentary question down for anser on 13 November is
dealt with).

ron The purpose of a week's delay between telling the Chinese and
satuslly relaxing the instructions is to give them the opportunit. to
take sobe matching measures more or less sixultaneously with our own -
always on the assumption that our sat of faith is justified.

5. We shall not be making a public announcement in advance of the satwi
rälazation of restrictions and would not expect the Chinese to do so
either. Once relaxation has been put into effect, it will be immediately
obvious and we must be ready to deal with press queries. But it is our
intention to make as litšle fuss about the relaxation as possible, and
we should be grateful if your spokesman and the police could also play
the issue sa quietly se possible.

1. A. James Esq.,

Home Office,

Horseferry House,

Deen Kyle Street,

1.4.1.

16.

10+

CONFIDENTIAL

6. Though the surveillance measures adopted last August can now be
dropped, you will no doubt wish to consider whether any special security
arrangements are still desirable in the vicinity of the Chinese Mission
itself, I should welcome your

views on this point.

(Janes Hurray)

OUPIDENTIAL

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[Alm enteral Ex/L (47)].

Fzz1/6

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Fc3/20

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D&D

Reply

103

+

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|

The Foreign Office wish to draw to the attention of the Office of the
Chinese Chargé d'Affaires a serious incident which occurred on Sunday,
the 6th of Cotebor. A motor car carrying Liu Chih-sing, a representative
of tho China Cosan Shipping Company attached to the Commercial Section
of the Chargé d'Affaires' Office, Yu lang, a correspondant of the Few
China Rows Agancy, his wife, Lin Ch'ing, and driven by Wang Tuan-sheng,
a driver frem the N.C.H.A. Office, deliberately went beyond the limit of
five ciles from Marble Arch laid down by the Foreign (2rios as
perziscible in the absence of prior application. The car did not
immediately stop when instructed to do nɔ by the police; and when
eventually obliged to do so, the occupanto claimed that they were
unaware that the five-nila travel restriction applied to thom. A
representative of the Chinezo Nission leter telephoned to the Zoreign
Office and claimed that the travel restrictions imposed on pembers of
the Chiness Office were "illegal" and that they did not in any caco
apply to those concerned in the incident ca the 8th of üctober.

+

As the Office of the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires is woll aware, the travel
restrictions imposed by the British Government are a direct consequence
of restrictions placed ca British diplomatic and official parachnol in
China and of the curtailmont of the narzel diplomatic functions of the
British Mission in Poking caused by wilful Chinese action,

The restrictions imposed by Hor Kajesty's Government have at all times
boon lesa covers than those imposed in Toking by the Chinese
authorities. The Foreign Office consider that such travol restrictions
do nothing to promote good relaticas between the United Kingdom and
China. Thoy

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2

are prepared at any time to discuss with the Chinese Government
reciprocal measures to reduce or remove all such restrictions. They also
roserve the right to imposa further restrictions in London to bring them
directly in line with those imposed on the Eritish Kission in Zeking.

The Foreign Office take this opportunity to point . out once again that
all officials of the Chinese Viszion (including sil officials of the
Commercial Section and ' officials attached to it), all expatriate otaff
of the London Office of N.C.K.A. and the London Office of the Bank of
China, togather with all Chinese officials who rezain in this country
for a period longer than threa rontha and the families of all these
categories of persons, ere required to notify the Foreign Office 48
hours in advance if they wish to travel beyond a radius of five miles
from Karble Arch. The office of the Chinano Chargé d'Affaires are keld
fully responsible for ensuring that thece regulations are complied with
and for all consequences arising from any attempt to infringe them.

Poroica Office, S.E.1,

1

12 Cotober, 1967.

T

*

Kr. Murray

Reference...

FC 3/20(102)

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31

Surveillance on the Chinese

- SNOV 1967

F23/201

Mr. James of the Home Office telephoned this morning to say that three
members of the Bank of China, who since the burning of the Mission in
Peking had been living in the Mission at Portland Place, had now moved
back to their house in Hampstead. This would necessitate detaching
additional police officers (nine in all) and a vehicle in order to
maintain surveill- ance. Did we think this was necessary? I replied that
we sympathised with the burden placed on the police. I understood you
had spoken to him about the possibility of removing surveill- ance from
the Bank of China. We did however con- sider it necessary, before
putting the matter to Ministers, to consult our Chargé d'Affaires in
Peking. We hoped to be in a position to give hin a definite reply this
week.

Bd (1436)

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Mo elf la Mare

1/11

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John Jenson

(J. B. Denson) 30 October 1967.

Janne May

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CONFIDENTIAL

how seen.

WLD I、

ARCHIVES No.31

- 6 NOV 1967

FC3/20

101

Flag A(100

Flag B

59

Surveillance of Chinese

The Secretary of State has told the Home Secretary

that we will examine the possibility of easing the present

burden on the police who are keeping Chinese officials under

surveillance. In addition Mr. James of the Home Office has

written to me to the effect that the Secretary of State has

agreed on a reduction in the present requirements for the

police and immigration service and aaking where these

reductions can be made. (I have explained to Mr. James that

the Secretary of State committed us only. to an examination

of the problem.)

Recommendation

2. I recommend that we inform the Home Office that the

police need no longer keep the premises of the Bank of China

and the private house where the Bank staff live under sur-

veillance.

Argument

3. There are at present 81 officers, uniformed and plain

clothes, employed in surveillance duties (42 at the Mission,

19 at the New China News Agency staff house in Hampstead,

14 at the Bank of China staff house in Spaniard's Close, and

6 at the Bank of China.) The Commissioner of Police has been

pressing the Home Office strongly for some relief from this

burden. He points out that we are moving into the time of

/year,

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

2

year, the Christmas shopping period, when police duties are

in any case heavy; and that the Vietnam demonstrations and

industrial unrest at the docks and at Fords at Dagenham

have been making extra calls on his resources.

Moreover,

officers employed in surveillance have very little to do

since the Chinese are making few trips; and boredom is bað

for morale.

4. The surveillance is not intended in itself to be a

sanction against the Chinese. It is our means of enforcing

the five-mile limit which we imposed on the Chinese immediately

after the sacking of our Office in Peking.

There is every

indication that if we did not enforce it in this way the

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