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of Cormunist offenders from the Colony to China, at least
without prior Chinese agreement. It seems likely therefore
that what the Chinese would really like to see is the release
of all the persons mentioned in paragraph 4 above and that
the release should take place in the Colony. This would
clearly be intolerable for the Hong Kong Government.
6.
Without going as far as this, however, it may be possible
to offer the Chinese a reasonable package within the limits
of what is tolerable in Hong Kong. Sir D. Hopson has put
forward a series of possibilitis81-
(a) that he tell the Chinese we would be prepared to
release Hsueh P'ing on the understanding that the
latter would "volunteer" to visit China and stay
there until the expiry of his sentence, after which
he would be free to return to Hong Kong.
(b) that if, as seems likely, the Chinese demur, this
offer be extended to cover the second N.C.N.A.
reporter, To Yu-ho, as well.
(c) that if both these offers are refused we consider
simple release of both N.C.N.A. reporters in the
Colony, as a last resort.
(a) that while any attempt by the Chinese to have all
the persons mentioned in paragraph 4 released in the
Colony would be clearly intolerable, we might consider
releasing them if deportation were guaranteed.
7.
Sir D. Hopson is aware of the problems that his proposals
raise for the Government of Hong Kong. He concedes that it is
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