TNAG-0028-FCO40-64-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 240

CONFIDENTIAL

Cypher/Cat A

PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

PRIORITY

Telno. 22

CONFIDENTIAL

6 January 1968

236

156

15

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 22 Repeated for information to Hong Kong.

of 6 January

I suggest serious consideration should be given to some substantial act of clemency in respect of the prisoner in Hong Kong to coincide with Chinese New Year (end of January)

O

A similar idea was discussed in your telegram 2,047 to Hong Kong

and Hong Kong telegram 1,501 last October. The Governor's view at the time was that it was too early to consider a substantial gesture and that such a move at any time would have legal complications, but that something might be done if situation became and remained calm.

2.

I realise that there are still many problems, particularly for Hong Kong in such a move. But now that three months have passed and Communist line on Hong Kong has radically changed

see in particular Hong Kong latest weekly assessments);

seen from here arguments in favour are strong:

as

3.

A

(a) The move would not be giving way to local Communist pressure. It would come from strength and in recognition of a Communist change of line. As such, it should encourage moderation on Chinese side rather than reverse.

(b) It would do something to de-fuse Communist propaganda. about conditions in prisons

(c) It should assist position of British subjects detained here and of this [? gp. omitted].

Form such a gesture might take would need careful study and Governor's suggestion in his telegram No. 1501 of a board review may be necessary. But I would suggest granting remission of sentences for those not directly involved in violence particularly young prisoners and women. I think too we should be ready to consider release in Hong Kong of majority of those concerned, bearing in mind fact that Communist line has now changed and those released are unlikely to become threats to order and security again.

4. I do not rule out possibility of deportation in certain cases. We have had no clear indication whether Peking would accept deportees. Mr. Hsueh's objections on 31 December (my telegram No. 1) seem to relate more to the size of quid pro quo than to principle of deportation. And it may be that we should also try out the scheme in your telegram No. 1069 to me. 90 But deportation (depending as it does on Chinese attitude) is a

more complex manoeuvre than pardon. And in any event now that emphasis in Hong Kong is on study of Mao and "political struggle": risks in release in Hong Kong would seem substantially reduced even in case of some of the bigger fish in our net.

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