TOP SECRET
25. A special effort would have to be made to discharge
our responsibilities to those Chinese men and women
(whatever their national status) who have been closely
associated with our administration, have openly demonstrated
their loyalty to the British connections and are therefore
particularly vulnerable to Chinese retaliation. In this
category fall many serving in the Police Force and Civil
Service and prominent in public service; many will be British
subjects but some will have no claim to this status.
particularly the Police, would have to be given the option
of remaining or leaving. It is difficult to quantify this
category; a very rough estimate is that they would number
about 20,000 30,000 (with their dependents, about 90,000
135,000), but this figure might be a considerable under-
estimate.
Responsibilities for Assets
These,
26. It would be feasible in a planned and phased withdrawal
to arrange the removal or transfer of a considerable
proportion of British and Hong Kong-owned moveable assets
(including military and particularly "sensitive" equipment
and stores).. There would remain large investments in fixed
assets (building and heavy plant) for which nothing could be
realised except by agreement with the Chinese. We cannot
expect Chinese acquiescence or co-operation in either
operation, particularly so far as Hong Kong-owned assets
are concerned.
27. Foreign nationals would have to look to their own
Governments for protection of their assets. The American
TOP SECRET
/assets
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.