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withdrawal was necessary, airlines would probably not be operating
through Hong Kong and few ships would be calling. Arrangements would
have to be made for requisitioning ships and aircraft.
The Americans,
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whose warships frequently visit Hong Kong, could be of great assistance, bu
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we feel that because of the risk of a leak we should not seek to plan
jointly with them. In the face of a deteriorating situation it would,
however, be necessary to do so.
17.
There would be great difficulties in placing any significant number
of Chinese whom we were able to evacuate. We could not take many into
this country; America and Canada might take significant numbers and
some South American countries might offer special facilities. Taiwan would
no doubt take quite a large number. We cannot, however, talk to any of
these countries in advance.
18. Despite all these difficulties, we feel that it is essential that
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should
evacuation plans/should be drawn up in advance as soon as possible.
Since there can be no local consultation, we would propose to draw on
the local knowledge of persons in Whitehall. We suggest that a small team
should be established in the Commonwealth Office, containing an officer
with local civilian experience of Hong Kong and representatives of the
Foreign Office and the Chiefs of Staff. As soon as the Commonwealth Office
have consulted the Governor of Hong Kong (who is at present on leave in
England) this team should be assembled with instructions to produce an
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urgent contingency plan. They should draw on advice from the Treasury
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