232 Officer to Department of External Affairs

Your telegram No.8 [1] This will be the attitude of practically all Missions here including, I understand now, the Soviet.

2. But all missions intend also to send representatives to Canton when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs actually moves there, to maintain contact with it. I would propose, therefore, when the time comes to act on lines set out in paragraph (2) my telegram No.22. [2]

3. In my opinion our actions in this regard must be designed to avoid, (a) any open breach with the present Government by failing to keep in touch with them.

(b) over-commitment to Rump Government in Canton, so as to be free to open relations with the new de facto Government should circumstances require.

4. I consider procedure above meets for the time being both objectives.