releases of detainees against the release of
British subjects in detention in China. However,
the significance of Hong Kong is now so clear
that there seems little advantage in trying to
play it down. Moreover, we are sure that the
Chinese would not consider the release of detai❤
nees as an appropriate quid pro quo for the
release of Mr. Grey, and we doubt very much
whether it would directly influence their atti-
tude towards other British subjects either.
3. We recognise that there is ho moment which
from the Hong Kong point of view could be regar-
ded as ideal for making Concessions, but since
neither we nor you would judge releases of this
sort to be a mador concession, we would hope
that they could be made at a time when the situ-
etion vis-à-vis the local Communists is "not
PLACE unfavourable* (your telegram 928). If you were
(711)
to see strong objection to the simultaneous
release of the number of detainees Hopson pro-
poses, we think that the release of several
small groups over a period of weeks would also
be beneficial. But in the light of the fore-
going considerations, as seen here we believe
there could be substantial advantage in a larger
gesture involving a minimum of ten persons.
4. We should be most grateful if you would
consider these suggestions and let us have
your views.
5. If the Chinese honour their undertaking on
visas and we match it by a gesture on release
of detainees, this might create the sort of
atmosphere in which we could work towards a