TNAG-1089-FCO40-1339-Illegal-immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 106

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AWARE THAT HE HAS COMMITTED AN OFFENCE UNDER CHINESE LAW ON WHICH

WE NATURALLY DO NOT WISH TO COMMENT. HOWEVER, THE CHINESE WILL

APPRECIATE THAT, AS WE HAVE SAID MANY TIMES BEFORE, OUR POLICY OF

RETURNING ILLEGALS WOULD BE JEOPARDISED IF THEIR PUNISHMENT WERE

TOO SEVERE. THIS WOULD CERTAINLY BE SO IF

WERE TO RECEIVE A

PENALTY WHICH APPEARED TO PUBLIC OPINION IN HONG KONG AND THE UK

TO BE DISPROPORTIONATELY HARSH OR INHUMANE. UNQUOTE.

4.

WE REALISE THAT THIS ACTION WOULD DRAW ATTENTION TO

CASE. BUT WE BELIEVE THAT HE WOULD NOT STAND ANY CHANCE OF

ESCAPING IDENTIFICATION IF RETURNED WITH OTHER ILLEGALS IN THE

NORMAL WAY.

MUST BE ON A WANTED LIST. WE DO NOT THEREFORE

THINK THAT SPEAKING TO NCNA WOULD MATERIALLY INCREASE THE RISK

TO HIM AND MIGHT MARGINALLY HELP HIM.

CARRINGTON

NNNN

DISTRIBUTION:

LIMITED

COPIES TO:

MR WATTTS, LEGAL ADVISER

HKGD

FED

PUSD

PS

PS/LPS

MR DONALD

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