§ 85. Mr. Waldenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the prospect of improving British relations with China.
§ Mr. William RodgersThe present state of our relations with China is still highly unsatisfactory. Members of the British Diplomatic Mission in Peking and some other British subjects in China are not being allowed to leave the country; and the normal functioning of the20W Mission is being inhibited by the restrictions placed on the movement of members of the staff. In the message my right hon. Friend sent to the Chinese Foreign Minister on 31st August he sought his co-operation to bring the situation back to normal and to set both countries on a better course in their relations. We stand ready to do everything possible to improve relations if the Chinese on their side are ready to co-operate with us on this.