3.
I do not dissent from the conclusions in paragraph 5
of your despatch concerning internal developments in
Chin. but
but my advisers and I doubt whether Mao Tse-tung
and the extremists would be allowed by the more moderate
in buration elements or by the Chinese-Peoples'/Army to mount another
campaign similar to that of last year, even if they
wished to do so. The present disturbances in certain
areas of China, including the Kwangtung Province
to be less violent than those which took place last
yours and although it may be some considerable time
before order and stability can be-sonpletely restored,
they appear unlikely to influence Chinese polisy
adversely so far as Hong Kong is concerned.
4.
However, the fact that, apart from isolated
incidenta, the local Gemminista have now abandoned
the use of violence to achieve thoir ends in the Colony
must leave na under no illisżona, There is, perhaps, a
и
danger that the efficiency and effectiveness with which
the Communist ohallenge last year was met and overcome,
coupled with the remarkable resilience displayed by the
Hong Kong economy, may create the impression that the
danger is past and that our vigilance can be relaxed. I
vish to assure you that I and my ministerial colleagues,
to whom copies of this exchange of despatches are being
circulated, are under no illusions on the subject. We are
fully alive to the fact that the Communist throat to
Hong Kong remine very real and will continue mabated,
albeit in a different form, and that there are no grounds
whatever for complacency on our part.
mough consumme
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15.
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5.
Public tributs has deservedly been paid in Parliament
on more than one occasion to the mmer in which the
people of Eong Kong, under your leadership, wet and
withstood the challenge presented to them by the
Commulate; and to the efficiency with which the
Hong Kong police, with the assistance of the Colony's
garrison, dealt with the situation. It is, however,
fitting that I should conclude this despatch by
soafiraing and recording the appreciation of
Har Majesty's Government for the manor in which you,
your advisers both official and unofficial
the forces
of law and order and the general public of the Colony
ир
Inced to and overcame the dangers which confronted
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Hong Kong during the-inet vévez mouthuvaź 1967.
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IV DIATE HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
Telno 342 16 March, 1968
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22 MAR 1968
FD!!!
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No.342 of 16 March, Repeated for
information to Peking.
My telegram No.338: Film Stars.
At a Press briefing on 15 March we emphasized the following:- (a) The
film stars were not being deported but were being released to China;
(b) China;
(c)
They had indicated that they were ready to return to
We had informed the Chinese authorities through the usual channels on
Monday, 11 March that the two film stars would be released at the Border
on Thursday;
(d)
That they left the bridge at Lowu of their own free will.
Foreign Office please pass Peking 116.
Sir D.Trench.
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[ARCHIV.... Në 31 20 MAR KD3
FDY/1
Telno 344
18 March 1968
CONFIDENTIAL
Addressed to Commonwealth Office telegram No. 344 of 18 March
Repeated for information to Peking
My telegram No. 342: Film Stars.
I have been considering how best we could make capital out of this
exercise and what follow up action we should now take.
2. The incident naturally aroused considerable Press interest here and
the Communist Pres has been expectedly vituperative on the subject
although there are no signs of protest meeting and so on being
organised. The neutral and Right-Wing Press, while making a few
criticisms, has not, on the whole, said anything particularly damaging
nor is public opinion particularly disturbed.
I
3.
Other factors are:-
Not yer
Рособо
3,8.
(a) Chinese at Lo Wu could have made much more of a
demonstration there, had they wished, in a number of ways:
(b) The protest in Peking seems from Peking telegram
No. 207 to have been reasonably mildly worded: (c) Our contacts here
seen to have bungled, at least to some extent (at NCNA meeting referred
to in my telegram No. 333 Liang and Poon appeared to know nothing of our
prior warning of what we intended to do and to be surprised what we had
given it; reference was also made by them to our having used "the wrong
method" but without further elaboration there may be eventual scope for
some different arrangement with the Chinese here):
-
(d) There is some evidence from observation of the gestures, etc., of
the border guards and the relaxed attitudes of the film stars themselves
on return that they themselves were nat particularly keen to cross and
this may have had some effect on the final outcome.
4. I suggest, therefore, that we might now press fairly hard but not
publicly along a general line Charge d'Affaires has ∙lready taken
(Peking telegram No. 207 refers) namely that we were annoyed and
disappointed at the Chinese reaction. We had
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given them time to consider their attitude to our offer of the film
stars: and had given them an opportunity to claim that they had obtained
the release of these people. We were prepared quietly to do the same for
others of those we held in custody; but it was absurd to suppose we
would release anyone in Hong Kong except on expiration of a sentence
imposed by the Courts. Our object was to provide them with an earnest of
our desire to reduce the area of disagreement between us, as should have
been apparent to them. Instead, they had tried to make capital out of
the incident, and we would now be justified in having serious doubts
about the bona fides of their renent approaches to us. Moreover NONA
were now trying to go outside the understandings come to in Peking on
prison visits. However, we were aware of the possibility that there had
been bungling on their side and would suspend judgment on their bona
fides pending an indication from then on whether they wanted those in
custody released early or not, we were well aware of their difficulties
over "deportation" and, while not accepting their attitude, we would
neverthelesa not formally deport provided we had their cooperation in
discouraging any attempt to return until the situation was fully
normalised. In general, our attitude in such approaches would be one of
annoyance but willingness to try again; and we should try to hold the
dialectical initiative.
5. Keanwhile the film stars should be placed in formal detention under
Colonial Secretary's order (maximum period is one year under this
legislation) and those under deportation orders after release from
prison should continue to be held pending arrangements for their
deportation. This I am arranging to do.
6. I suggest further that we should take the line I am proposing through
all the channels available to us more or less simultaneously: in London
and Peking, and here through the channel referred to in my Top Secret
telegram No. 331, and the China Merchants Stean Navigation Company (with
whom we originally dealt). I am very doubtful however of using the
Political Adviser's talks with NCNA over the prisoners also. He could
mention our feelings to them perhaps, but I an not anxious to inflate
their quasi-diplomatic position.
7. We might couple these approaches with a harder publicity line over
the position of the Mission in Peking and Grey as suggested in paragraph
8 of Peking telegram No. 179, to emphasise our displeasure.
8. Finally, the chances of a more favourable Chinese attitude emerging
very quickly as a result of this course of action are perhaps not
particularly good, but I cannot suggest
/anything
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Hong Kong telegram No. 344 to Commonwealth Office
- 3 -
more likely to bear results at present.
Certainly I do not think we should yet contemplate further concessions
until we have first tried something a little harder, and see if they
have any suggestions to make.
Commonwealth Office please pass Immediate Peking 117.
Sir D. Trench
[Repeated as requested]
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IMMEDIATE PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Telno 223 20 March, 1968
CONFIDENTIAL
20 MAR 1968
FDY/1
F
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 223 of 20 March Repeated for
information to:- Hong Kong.
322
Hong Kong telegram No. 344:
Kot Mach, F. Deportees.
I agree we should try to get message in paragraph 4 of telegram under
reference across, but for the present at any rate I think this would be
best done via channel referred to in Hong Kong telegram No. 331. The
attitude of the Chinese in Peking (or à fortiori London) is likely to be
the propaganda line of last Friday's protest. When I tried to get over
something of this idea on 15 March Hsueh simply read back parts of the
protest Note. I may be able to say, something more if a suitable
opportunity arises but
I would prefer not to make special approach myself at this stage.
2. Paragraph 7 of telegram under reference. As explained in my telegram
No. 211 I would not favour a harder publicity Tine or indeed any
deliberate publication at this stage.
P.0. pass Immediate Hong Kong 156.
Sir D. Hopson
[Repeated as requested]
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submission
EN CLAIR
FO IN
No 31
1 8 MAR 08
PRIORITY
ELNO. 214
UNCLASSIFIED
PEKING
TO
2
FOREIGN OFFICE
18 MARCH 1968
B20
تا
ADDSD TO FO TEL NO 264 OF 18 MARCH RFI TO HONGKONG POLAD
SINGAPORE AND WASHINGTON.
PEOPLES DAILY AND NONA OF 17 MARCH CARRY ONE ITEM ABOUT THE TWO FILM
WORKERS FU CHI AND SHIH HUT. ARTICLE ALLEGES THAT PERSONS CONCERNED WERE
QUOTE KIDNAPPED UNQUOTE WHEN THEY REACHED
SHEUNGSHUI FAILWAY STATION ON THEIR WAY BACK FROM THE BORDER
AND THAT QUOTE FASCIST POLICE UNQUOTE USED VIOLENCE AGAINST
NONA AND PATRIOTIC REPORTERS. ARTICLE SAYS THAT QUOTE UNDER THE
DIRECTION OF STEVENSON DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES UNQUOTE,
POLICE HANDCUFFED AN NONA REPORTER AND A WEN HUI PAO REPORTER AND PULLED
ANOTHER FEMALE NONA REPOFTER FROM THE
TRAIN EUT ANDS THAT THEY WERE SUBSEQUENTLY FREEP. ARTICLE
REPORTS THAT PATRIOTIC CIRCLES HAVE PROTESTED QUOTE AT
KIDMAPPING UNQUOTE AND ALLEGED PERSECUTION OF PATRIOTIC
REPORTERS AND HAVE DEMANDED THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF THE TWO
FILM WORKERS AND ALL OTHER COMPATRIOTS DETAINED ON MOUNT
DAVIES, AND AN END TO PERSECUTION OF HONGKONG COMPATRIOTS.
THE
SIR D. HOPSON
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FO
IMMEDE AUR LEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Telno. 210
16 March 1968
F
319
UNCLASSIFIED
Addressed to Hong Kong telegram No. 146 of 16 March, Repeated for
information to Foreign Office (Immediate) Washington, POLAD Singapore
My telegram No. 204.
People's Daily of 16 March carries an account of the protest about the
attempted deportation the two film stars made to me by Hsuch of the West
European Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 15 March (NCNA English No.
031518).
L
2. This article is accompanied by a news report on the deport- ation
attempt which alleges that Fu Chi and Shih Hui were "kidnapped" on 15
July and were later detained in a "concentration camp" on Mount Davis.
Report also refers to protest about deporation lodged with Political
Adviser by NCNA Hong Kong in the afternoon of
15 March (NCNA 031517).
Sir D. Hopson.
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Mr.
de Jul for
mr attemps to cam
(318
situation for
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Cyphe $t
THMF'
ARCO FOREIGN, OFFICE
exfox. F
Telno. 207
1 8 MAR 103
16 March 1968
CONFIDENTIAL
किill
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 207 of 16 March, Repeated for
information to Hong Kong.
Ky telegram No. 204.
Hauch began by saying that attempt forcibly to deport the two film stars
on 14 March was another act of persecution against compatriots. Their
sacred right was to reside and work in Hong
Kong
8 The Chinese Government made a serious protest about thin. On March the
Charge d'Affaires had said that the British Govern- ment wished to take
concrete steps to bring the situation in Hong Kong back to normal,
However this unreasonable measure, so far from being step to relax
tension would arouse strong indignation of Hong Kong compatriots and
masses at border and would lead to renewed tension in Hong Kong and on
border. The Chinese Government provided all Chinese with free movement
facilities between Hong Kong and the rest of the motherland but must
oppose deportation no matter where. We must stop these unreasonable
practices and guarantee that there would be no recurrence in the future.
The Chinese Government demanded that the two film workers be declared
innocent and set free, that their safety and freedom from any further
persecution be guaranteed and that they should not be sent anywhere
outside of Hong Kong against their will, otherwise we would have to bear
all the consequences.
2. In my reply I reminded Hsuch that on 31 December he had raised the
question of these two film workers and alleged that it was intended to
deport them to Taiwan. I had said that nobody was being forcibly
deported from Hong Kong and later on a Note had informed Ministry of
Foreign Affairs that allegation about the film workers was groundless.
Nor was there any attempt in the present instance forcibly to deport the
two film workers. They had been told of Hong Kong Government's intention
to enable them to return to Chine and they had not expressed
unwillingness. They had freely crossed the bridge. Therefore the Chinese
Government's scousation was groundless. Referring to my interview with
Lo Kuei-po on 8 March and to "measures to relax tension", I said Chinese
had often referred to prisoners in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Government
saw their action as something intended to relieve tension not to raise
it. It appeared that the Chinese Government had not agreed to accept the
two film workers. This attitude was not going to facilitate a solution
of our mutual problems.
/I therefore
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2
1
I therefore rejected his protest.
3. Hauch replied that while persons concerned naturally did not refuse
repatriation because all compatriots wanted to be able to go to the
motherland, this was not the point. The British Authorities regard the
two persons as prisoners and were attempting forcibly to deport them as
such. The Hong Kong Authorities had used deceptive tactics to lure the 2
film workers to the border, saying that the matter of their return to
China had already been arranged. Case of the 2 film workers was only an
example. It we wanted to relax tension this was not the method. Hsuch
then repeated the Chinese Government's demand as in my paragraph 1
above.
4. In answer to my enquiry he refused to disclose whether the Chinese
Government would publish their statement.
Foreign Office pass Immediate Hong Kong 143.
Sir D. Hopson.
[Repeated as requested]
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IMMED LATE' PEKI GRECEIVEBO IN
Telno 204
UNCLASSIFIED
FOREIGN OFFICE
(317)
ARCHIVEJ NË AF
15 March 1968
1 8 MAR 1968
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 204 of 15 March, Repeated for
information to Hong Kong.
I was summoned this evening to receive a serious protest from such,
Deputy Director Western Europe on the attempted deportation which was
described as another measure of persecution against compatriots. Chinese
Government demanded that 2 persons concerned should be declared innocent
and released and not sent anywhere outside Hong Kong against their will.
2. Hsuch refused to say whether Chinese would publicise his protest.
Fuller account follows.
Sir D. Hopson
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Teln 184
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11 March 1968
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RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES NGJY
1 1 MAR 1968
PBY!
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 184 of 11 March. Repeated for
information to Hong Kong.
Hong Kong telegram No. 298 to you.
[Deportation of Film
Stara).
I agree we should go ahead.
315
за
Sir D. Hopson
We telegraphed agement to go ahead.
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CATE HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
Telno 298
CONFIDENTIAL
9 March, 1968
க
#WB 3/2
Addressed to Commonwealth Office telegram No. 298 of 9 March, repeated
for information to Peking.
NIE Your telegram No. 427: Deportation of Film Stars.
The two film stars were interviewed yesterday at some length. Both
refused to commit themselves, without instructions from the authorities
in China, to any statement, written or verbal, as they consider release
to China in such circumstances is tantamount to deportation.
They said however that they would return if the CPG wished them to do
so: and that on the other hand, if it was decided to despatch them
without option across the border, they were "in the hands of the Hong
Kong Government".
2. It is our assessment that the couple would cross into China without
any physical protest if it were apparent to them that the CPG border
officials were prepared to accept them. The key to the situation,
therefore, remains the willingness of the CPG to accept them if and when
they are presented at Lo Wu.
IN D
7/3
3. It is possible that the CPG might regard presentation of the film)
might regard presentation of the film 32
stars as a deliberately negative reaction to their statement to Her
Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires, reported in Peking telegram No. 174, In the
sense that it indicates a rejection of the "demand" that prismas be
released in H.K. in ay case, given the present atmosphere and past
statements by the CFG concerning
deportation it does seen probable that the CPG will indicate their
unwillingness to accept the two film stars in these circumstances (but
just possibly also their release might be taken as a gesture toward
them). However, we cannot hope to conceal indefinitely the fact that we
have taken the initial step of discussing with the film stars the
question of their release to China, and any deferment of the next steps
might thus be construed by the CPG as a sign of weakness related to the
Vice-Minister's reiteration of the "demands". There is the additional
factor that we do not want to give the impression that detainees have
only to indicate their unwillingness to return to China on a voluntary
basis for the matter to be dropped. On balance, therefore, having set
this exercise in motion, we feel we should see it through.
Subject, therefore, to your views and those of the Chargé d'Affaires in
Peking, we would propose to act on Monday 11 March as in paragraph 1(b)
of my telegram No. 150, indicating to the China Kerchants Steam
Navigation Company (contact that we would be presenting the pair at the
border at 8 a.m. on Thursday 14 Karch, for release to China. If we are
/ questioned
284
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HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO. 298 TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
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questioned (as we may be in view of previous CPG statements that any
Chinese who is willing to return to China will be acceptable) as to
their willingness to return to China, we would confine ourselves to the
statement that they have indicated they would be willing to cross the
border if presented. Thereafter we would act as in paragraph 1(c) to (e)
of my telegram No. 150..
FO please pass immediate Peking 94.
Sir D. French
Repeated as requested/
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