CLAIR
MMEDIATE HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
TELNO 323
UNCLASSIFIED
14 MARCH 1968
ADDRESSED C.O. TELEGRAM 323 OF 14 MARCH REPEATED PEKING.
WE INFORMED OUR USUAL CHINESE CONTACT ON 11 MARCH THAT WE
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PROPOSED TO RELEASE THE TWO FILM STARS NOW IN DETENTION TO CHINA
TODAY. AS NO OBJECTION WAS RAISED THEY WERE PRESENTED AT THE BORDER
THIS MORNING. A MESSAGE WAS RECEIVED THROUGH THE CHINA TRAVEL
SERVICE THAT IT WAS KNOWN THAT THEY WERE COMING BUT THAT NO
DECISION HAD BEEN TAKEN AS TO WHETHER THEY WOULD BE ACCEPTED.
2. AT NOON THE COUPLE WERE RELEASED ON THE BRIDGE. THEY EVENTUALLY
WENT FORWARD WITH THEIR BAGGAGE TO THE BORDER LINE WHERE THEY
ENGAGED IN LONG CONVERSATION WITH THE SENTRIES AND VARIOUS
OFFICIALS. LATER A BROADCAST WAS MADE FROM THE CHINESE SIDE
ASSERTING THAT :-
(A) COMPATRIOTS HAVE THE SACRED RIGHT TO LIVE IN HONG KONG.
(B) THEY ARE WELCOME TO RETURN TO CHINA AT ANY TIME.
BUT (C) IT IS INTOLERABLE TO EXPEL THEM FORCIBLY FROM HONG KONG.
IT WAS DEMANDED THAT THE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES DECLARE THE INNOCENCE
OF THE TWO AND RELEASE THEM AT ONCE, AND THAT WE COMPLETELY
GUARANTEE THEIR PHYSICAL SAFETY AND UNDER NO PRETEXT FORCE THEM TO
GO ANYWHERE ELSE THAN HONG KONG.
3. WE BROADCAST IN REPLY TO THE EFFECT THAT THE COUPLE ARE FREE TO
GO TO CHINA IF THEY WISH OR TO RETURN TO HONG KONG TONIGHT. THEY
ARE STILL (10 P.M.) ON THE BRIDGE.
F.0. PLEASE PASS IMMEDIATE TO PEKING · 105-
SIR. D. TRENCH
[REPEATED AS REQUESTEL ]
ADVANCE COPIES SENT
J.R.P.G.D.
U.L.A.
J.P.A.
LASI
REE
NEWS DEFT.
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES Nɔ. 63
D.1.5. M.C..
RLF
↑
964,070 15 MAR 1968
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
C.D.
P.0.
PPPPP
H.K.DELT.
NEWS DEFT.
I & G.L. F.E.D. J.I.K.D.
Hwb3/2
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