§ 53. Mr. Astorasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the intervention of Chinese troops in North Korea, His Majesty's Government still deem it expedient to maintain full diplomatic relationship with the Government of China.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesHis Majesty's Government is not in full diplomatic relations with the Central People's Government and the question, therefore, does not arise.
§ Mr. AstorWould the Under-Secretary agree that the principle of according diplomatic relations to Communist countries must carry with it certain practical advantages, and must never be accorded merely as a token of appeasement?
§ Mr. DaviesOne assumes that when we have full diplomatic relations we have certain advantages, and one of the differences between the present situation in 31 China and full diplomatic representation would be that we would have the right of access to the Foreign Minister and other Ministers concerned.
§ Mr. S. SilvermanIs it not a fact that we were most anxious to have discussions with the Chinese Government about North Korea and other matters, and that the reason why we have not done so is because we have not, so far, persuaded the United States of America to recognise that Government or to admit it to the Security Council?
§ Mr. DaviesNo, Sir, that is not quite the situation. The situation is that the Chinese Government have not yet made it possible for us to have full diplomatic relations with them.
§ Mr. EdenAs a matter of interest, has our representative with this Government had any kind of communication with them at any time? Has he met any of their Ministers?
§ Mr. DaviesThe answer is "Yes," but there happens to be a further Question on that very matter later on the Order Paper.
§ 64 and 65. Mr. Peter Smithersasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what is the rank and position of the official of the Chinese Communist Government by whom His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires is normally received; how many such visits have taken place since the said Government was recognised by His Majesty's Government; and upon how many of such occasions an exchange of views has taken place;
(2) whether any diplomatic representative of His Majesty's Government has been received by Marshal Mao Tse-tung or by the Chinese Foreign Minister.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesHis Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires in Peking has had four interviews with the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Central People's Government. Views were exchanged on each of these occasions. In addition, Mr. Hutchison and members of his staff are in constant touch with other officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on a variety of subjects. No foreign diplomat has, up to date, been received either by Chairman Mao Tse-tung or by Mr. Chou En-lai until his country has established full diplomatic relations.
§ Mr. SmithersIn view of the answer to these two questions, does the Minister feel confident that our views are, in fact, passed on to those who control the policy of the Chinese Government?
§ Mr. DaviesYes, Sir. Representations have been made on a number of matters and we are satisfied that they have been considered by the Chinese Government.