FILE No.
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STAMP
YEAR
1973
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CONFIDENTIAL
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FILE No.
TITLE: RELEASE.
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CONFIDENTIAL
YEAR STAMP
1973
REF SCR 7/3371/68 III
M
126
CONFIDENTIAL
COLONIAL SECRETARIAT
LOWER ALBERT ROAD
HONG KONG
H L1 Davies Esq
FED
FCO
4 May 1973
The back at 1415
This Well, e. Hreys in 15/5
PAK
1515 Exter
1
Dean Hagan
CONFRONTATION PRISONERS
We reported the release of IP Tat-shing and
CHU Tsz-tim in our telegram 476
Their departure
from jail was of course reported i n this morning's press, with a
somewhat carping editorial in the South China Morning Post.
2.
The communist press reported the release with very little more
prominence than they gave to
the earlier releases. Most important from our point of view was that
both in headlines and text
their account referred to IP and CHU as "the last
two".
With luck therefore
to be regarded as a normal criminal.
Your Отки
can continue
(T JB George)
CS. 4LA
CC
RC Samuel Esq Peking
CONFIDENTIAL
Mr Ching Li-chen Director
Consular Department
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
?
16,"
M
BRITISH EMBASSY
PEKING
2 May 1973
14
^
You will be glad to hear that Ip Tat-shing and Chu Ving-kuen who are the
last two of the prisoners convicted at the time of the 1967 disturbances
in Hong Kong, are to be released tomorrow. Their release is the result
of the regular process of review of all long-term prison sentences in
Hong Kong.
I take this opportunity to convey my beat wishes,
MH Morgan
blind conies sent to
R J Stratton Esq
Hong Kong
RM Evans 3sq FED, FOO
ref Hong Hong telno 72 of 28 April
no
:
H
L
Mr Ching Li-chen Director
Consular Department
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
+
BRITISH EMBASSY
PEKING
2 May 1973
You will be glad to hear that Ip Tat-shing and Chu Wing-huen who are the
last two of the prisoners
convicted at the time of the 1967 disturbances in
Hong Kong, are to be released tomorrow. Their release is the result of
the regular process of review of all long-term prison sentences in Hong
Kong.
I take this opportunity to convey my best wishes,
M H Korgan
||
blind conies sent ta
R J Stratën Ssa
Hong Kong
RH Evans Seq
FAD, 200
ref Hong Kong telno 72 of 28 April
A
14
+
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CYPHER CAT A
Com 100
CONFIDENTIAL
FP PEXING 898500Z
CONFIDENTIAL
24
.2+)
TUT LUPY
TO ROUTINE FCO TELNO 557 OF 9 MAY, REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG
(PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR).
FOLLOWING FROM SAMUEL
MIPT
1.
AT THE END OF MY CALL ON THE ASSISTANT FOREIGN MINISTER CHANG WEN-CHIN
THIS MORNING HE SAID HOW GLAD THE CHINESE GOVERN- MENT WAS TO SEE THAT
THE LAST REMAINING CONFRONTATION PRISONERS HAD BEEN RELEASED IN HONG
KONG. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ATTACHED GREAT SIGNIFICANCE TO THE MEASURES
WHICH HAD BEEN TAKEN BY HMG AND THE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES AND WAS
GRATEFUL FOR THEM. HE ADDED THAT SINCE ALL REMAINING BRITISH SUBJECTS
DETAINED IN CHINA HAD NOW BEEN RELEASED THAT BUSINESS WAS ALL PAST^',
MORGAN
FILES
F.E.D.
P & C.D.
W.E.D.
P.S.
FS/MR AMERY
PS/MR ROYLE
SIR E NORRIS MR WIGGIN MR WILFORD
+
CONFIDENTIAL
DUN FO A3//9
LIM 203/09
RR FCO
RR HONG KONG
GR 199
CYPHER CAT A
ADVANCE COPY
Mi Dayiz"/ MiDa
pim.
Ka Fed
FM PEKING popsanz
R.E. 1575.
CONFIDENTIAL
(Ziles) Many thanks.
RE.
Glávk
Mi Clark 10/5.
We ought to mention to неоидито
the fimbassy Mitrilford's removkin the chikese Ambasador.
TO ROUTINE FCO TELNO 557 OF MAY, REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG
(PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR).
Mr Evans
RE.
915.
FOLLOWING FROM SAMUEL
I have already written
Glark
راو
MIPT
1.
AT THE END OF MY CALL ON THE ASSISTANT FOREIGN MINISTER
CHANG WEN-CHIN THIS MORNING HE SAID HOW GLAD THE CHINESE GOVERN- MENT
WAS TO SEE THAT THE LAST REMAINING CONFRONTATION PRISONERS HAD REEN
RELEASED IN HONGK KONG, THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ATTACHED GREAT
SIGNIFICANCE TO THE MEASURES WHICH HAD BEEN TAKEN BY HMG AND THE HONG
KONG AUTHORITIES AND WAS GRATEFUL FOR THEM. HE ADDED THAT SINCE ALL
REMAINING BRITISH SUBJECTS DETAINED IN CHINA HAD NOW BEEN RELEASED 'THAT
BUSINESS WAS ALL PAST**
MORGAN
*}
NNNN
I suppose that this is stricity cose. Ave any dual majonees ster
dcrained?
Mr Dantes.
you
The Chatte. The Evans olen
possibility
Tuse one Her Nationality stating are mvestigating.
Do
know the answer G *
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RE
915
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The Forens
Enter +pe Done. Enter
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LEHH 14 13
Mi Stark. Pe. drop
a live to Peking
and Hong Kong.
Wiltow
Wilford.
Confrontation Prisoners.
Please see
the attached telegrams.
with The Royle's office. He did
2.I have checked
ust
fact have
a word
with the Chinese
Ambassador.
the
these
may wish to do
50
Circumstances
Shen Thr Sung calls this morning
The Wilford
at 11:00 am,
L.
Thi Lagan believes the M. Royle (who is away to-day) would be quite
comiené for you to have a word winni sung.
M.
2. M: ENC
&115
R.E. 715
Rin. Erons
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4 May, 1973.
трова
M: Royle's
behalf.
The Ambersonn
Hakes M. Royle for his thought
at said that the inking of this
11 friction
be three on
(293) 397463
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CONFIDENTIAL
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1
Telephone 01. 930 8440
MH Morgan Esq PEKING
Your reference
Our reference
Date
FEH 14
{
7 May 1973
CONFRONTATION PRISONERS
FCO telegram No 514 to Peking and Hong Kong
1. In the event Michael Wilford mentioned the satisfactory end to this
matter on Mr Royle's behalf when the Chinese Ambassador called on 4 May.
said that the
Mr Sung
be good FOR OUR felation;
cc
R J HONG KONG
Stratton Esq
CONFIDENTIAL
GE Clark
Far Eastern Department
W
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+
GR 65
PRIORITY
CONFIDENTIAL
CYPHER CAT A
FM F C O 941503Z
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Zi
(FEA 14/1
CONFIDENTIAL
73
MAY INDO
TO PRIORITY GOVERNOR HONG KONG TELNO 438 OF 4 MAY/INFO PEKING.
YOUR TELEGRAMS NO. 72 TO. PEKING AND NO. 476 TO FCO: CONFRONTATION
PRISONERS.
FOLLOWING FROM MR ROYLE,
1. I AM DELIGHTED THAT THIS LONG-STANDING PROBLEM IS NOW FINALLY OUT OF
THE WAY. 1 AN MOST GRATEFUL TO YOU PERSONALLY AND SHOULD
BE GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD PASS ON MY THANKS TO ALL THOSE CONCERNED
FOR THE SKILL WITH WHICH THIS MATTER HAS BEEN HANDLED.
DOUGLAS-HOME
FILES
FED
HK100
PRIVATE SECRETARY
MR VILFORD
SIR E NORRIS
PS TO MR ROYLE
CONFIDENTIAL
जोक
20
Mr Evans
Hr Mark
CONFIDENTIAL
Anteil. For 14
M:
Enter +p.a
a
715
A, B
RELEASE OF CONFRONTATION PRISONERS IN HONG KONG
1. The last two Confrontation Prisoners were released on
3 May (Hong Kong telegrams no 72 to Peking and no 476 to FCO). This
brings to an end a problem which has bedevilled our relations with China
since 1967.
2.
From
1832 men and women were convicted of offences during the confrontation
riots of the summer of 1967 and imprisoned.
the beginning the Chinese consistently pressed us to release
There is no
doubt that the arrest and detention of many of the British subjects held
in China during this period was directly related to this issue. The
Chinese invariably parried our protests about the British detainees by
demanding the release of the confrontation prisoners. Although we have
never publicly admitted any linkage, the Chinese maintained it to the
end. The last three British subjects detained in China were released on
27 January. In informing us of their release the Chinese made it clear
that they hoped for an early solution in the cases of the last four
Confrontation Prisoners. Although these four
had all been convicted of serious crimes of violence the Prison
Board of Review decided in January to recommend the necessary
reduction in their sentences to bring about their release by the end of
May.
3. Mr Royle wrote to the Governor on 26 January to express his pleasure
at the decision of the Board of Review. Mr Wilford has now suggested
that Mr Royle should send a further message. In view of the fact that Mr
Royle sent the earlier message not long ago and in view of the fact that
these final releases mark something of a milestone, I think it would be
appropriate for the Secretary of State to send a short message on this
occasion. I submit a draft telegram. HK10D concur.
3 May 1973
cc: HKIOD
CONFIDENTIAL
H 1 Davies
/
I
agree
with the recommendation .
Gellark
3/5
think this should
Reyle. Lagre
go from Mi to the rasage
крадк
12
IMMEDIATE
GRPS 50
CYPHER CAT A
FM PEKING #38730Z
CONFIDENTIAL
DESKBY #398980Z
CONFIDENTIAL
Tr
*73
Fal
14
TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELNO 542 OF 3 MAY INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG.
YOUR TELEGRAM NO 514: CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.
1. CHINESE WERE INFORMED OF IMPENDING RELEASE BY LETTER TO HEAD OF
CONSULAR DEPARTMENT DELIVERED TO MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS YESTERDAY
AFTERNOON. COPY OF LETTER FOLLOWS BY BAG.
MORGAN
FILES
F.E.D.
HKIOD
PS/MR ROYLE MR WILFORD
CONFIDENTIAL
(19
13
IMMEDIATE
CYPHER/CAT A
GPS 20
FM HONG KONG Ø3032ØZ
RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED
TOP COFY
KREDIATE
FEH
1973
TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELNO 476 OF 3 MAY/INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING.
YOUR TELEGRAM 514 TO PEKING.
от
PERSONS NAMED IN OUR TELEGRAM 72 TO PEKING WERE RELEASED AT 1100 HOURS
LOCAL TODAY.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
FED
HKIOD
PS/MR ROYLE MR WILFURD SIR E NORRIS
RESTRICTED
1
14
PRIORITY
CYPHER/CAT-A-
GFS 70
FM FCO 0209202
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
/1973
(FE
TO PRIORITY PEKING TELNO 514 OF 2 MAY AND TO HONG KONG.
HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO 72: CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.
1. SINCE THESE ARE THE LAST TWO CONFRONTATION PRISONERS MR.
ROYLE INTENDS TO MENTION IT TO THE CHINESE AMBASSADOR. PLEASE
THEREFORE INFORM US AS SOON AS THE CHINESE HAVE BEEN TOLD OF THE
PRISONERS' RELEASE.
DOUGLAS-HOME
FILES
FED
HKIOD
PS/MR ROYLE
MR WILFORD
-
CONFIDENTIAL
17
15
GPS 200 PRIORITY
CYPPER/CAT A
P
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG 2801øøz
CONFIDENTIAL
73
FEH
14/1
TO PRIORITY PEKING TELNO 72 OF 28 APRILZINFO PRIORITY FCO.
MY TELNO 591 CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.
WE HAVE DECIDED TO RELEASE SIMULTANEOULSY THE LAST TWO CONFRONT- ATION
PRISONERS. IP TAT-SHING AND CHU TSZ-TIM (ALIAS CHU WING-KUEN) WILL
ACCORDINGLY BE FREED ON 3 MAY. SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD DELAY
TELLING THE CHINESE UNTIL THE LAST POSSIBLE
MOMENT IN ORDER TO LESSEN THE RISK OF PUBLICITY.
2. IN ADDITION TO THE EXPLANATION THAT THE RELEASES ARE THE RESULT
OF
I WOULD LIKE YOU TO MAKE THE POINT-
THAT THESE TWO ARE THE LAST TO BE FREED OF THOS CONVICTED AT THE TIME OF
THE 1967 DISTURBANCES IN HONG KONG, ONE PRISONER, HO CHEUNG (TO WHOM WE
WOULD NOT WISH YOU TO REFER), REMAINS IN GAOL AS A RESULT OF A CRIME
COMMITTED IN 1967. BUT HE WAS CONVICTED (OF KILLING A POLICEMAN) ONLY IN
1971 AFTER RETURN FROM CHINA: AND HE HAS NOT BEEN CONSIDERED BY US (OR
APPARENTLY THE CHINESE) AS BEING IN THE SAME CATEGORY AS THE
CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.
MACLEHOSE
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
/REPEATED AS REQUESTED/
FED