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22. In the event of our withdrawal, we would have a residual responsibility to see that non-Chinese foreign 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 left 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 paragraph 25 below).
G
24 Clearly we could not, in withdrawing from Hong Kong, effectively discharge all our responsibilities to the people. 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 there is no prospect that we could evacuate or place elsewhere the numbers of Chinese involved in category (b). The vast majority X 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 place 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 Chinesc race as Chinese 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 (whatever their national status) who have been closely associated with
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