WOZAQX(2)
HAS THE SECRETARY OF STATE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH THE
EMBASSY IN PEKING? IS HE SATISFIED THAT DIPLOMATIC STAFF ARE SAFE?
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Yes. Ambassador and his staff and our Consulate-General in Shanghai have been in almost hourly contact throughout recent
events.
Diplomatic staff are all safe, and in good spirits. Following military crackdown on 3/4 June, Ambassador decided that for their
own safety non-essential staff and dependents should be withdrawn from Peking. Some 62 staff and dependents flew to Hong Kong on 7
There are 38 staff and dependents left in Peking. In Shanghai Consulate-General is staffed as normal (4 Diplomatic Service Officers, 1 British Council Officer and 4 dependents).
June.
WHEN WILL THOSE EVACUATED RETURN?
A decision on when they should return will be taken in light of developments on ground. Too early to say yet.
EMBASSY HELPING DIPLOMATIC STAFF TO EVACUATE AT EXPENSE OF OTHERS?
No. Considerable effort put into evacuation effort of British nationals and Hong Kong people by our Posts in China, by Hong Kong Government and FCO. Emergency Unit in FCO working continuously from
8 to 12 June. Around 400 British citizens have left China often
with Embassy or Consulate-General help. We have been in contact with around a further 150 who wished to stay in China.