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22. In the event of our withdrawal, wo would have a residual responsibility to see that non-Chinese forsign nationals (numbering about 11,000) have the opportunity to leave if they wish and if their own Governments fail to make arrange-
ments for them.
23. We also have a moral responsibility to non-communist Chinese aliens: these would be regarded in the eyes of the Free World as refugees from Communism who should not be lert to their fate. To some in this latter category our moral responsibility is very strong and inescapable - namely, those who because of their close connection with out administration would be very vulnerable to Chinese retaliation (see peragraph 25 below).
24. Clearly we could not, in withdrawing from Hong Kong, effectively discharge all our responsibilities to the peopl0. Those in category (a) of paragraph 21 will have an alternative place of residence; we shall need to provide facilities for them to leave (if possible with their assets) and, in some cases possibly, to assist with their resettlement. But thoro is no prospect that we could evacuate or place elsewhere the numbers of Chinese involved in category (b). The vast majority would have to be left to their fate. Large numbers would not wish to leave and would accommodate themselves to the new regime, but many would suffer. Our moral stock would fall grievously low if, in a voluntary withdrawal, we did not do all that we could either to secure an alternative plage of residence for them outside Hong Kong if they wanted to leave or some guarantees for their good treatment if they stayed. The latter would be difficult to obtain since all Chinese governments have regarded persons of Chinese race as Chinosc nationals and, even if obtained, would probably be worthless. Nevertheless, those left behind for whom we have any responsibility would be used as hostages. Their treatment would depend on our response to Chinese demands; by this means the Chinese could "squeeze" us for a prolonged period following withdrawal.
25. A special effort would have to be made to discharge our responsibilities to those Chinese men and women (whatevor their national status) who have been closely associated with
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