TNAG-0042-FCO40-78-Future-Sovereignty-of-Hong-Kong-Defence-Review-Working-Party-1967 — Page 32

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is no prospeat that we could ovsounte or place else-

where Chinese in these number9. The vast majority woul‹

have to be left to their fate. Large numbers would not

wish to leave and would recommodate thesnelves to the

now regime, but many would suffor. Our moral stook

would fall gievously low if, in a voluntary withdrewal,

we did not do all that we could either to secure an

alternativo place of residance for them outside Hong

if they wanted to leave or sons guarantees for their

good treatment if they stayed. The latter would be

diffioult to obtain since all Chinone overnments have

regarded persone of Chinees race as Chinese nationals

and, even if ob`ained, would probably be worthless.

8.

There are some Chinese citizens of the United

Kingdom and Colonies (and some Chinese who are not

entitled to claim this status) to whom we have special

obligations, including a very strong moral obligation.

These are the won and women who have been closely

associated with our administration, have openly

demonstrated their loyalty to the Dritish connections

and are therefore particularly vulnerable to Chinese

retaliation. In this category fall many serving in the

rolice Force and Divil Service and prominent in public

service. These, particularly the Police, would have

to be given the option of rearining or leaving. It is

difficult to quantify this antegory; a very roughi

estimate is that they would number about 20,000

30,000 (with their dependanta, about 90,000 135,000),

but this figure might be a considerable under-estimate.

9+ The problem of placing Chinese in these or larger

numbers is likely to be formidable. No countries have

agreed to take Chinese in significant numbers; those

that have taken them hơavo required the possession of

certain skills or professional qualifications, Noat of

the vulnerable antegory will have these but

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