fco-21-227imprisonment-of-new-china-news-agency-journalists-and-detention-of-anthony-grey-in-china — Page 1

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TITLE: HONG KONG! PRESS!

FORZIGN JOURNALISTS IN

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DO NOT RETAIN FILES AND PAPERS UNNECESSARILY

RETURN THEM TO REGISTRY FOR B.U. OR P.A.

FILE

CLOSED

FILE No.

FD13/8

Downing Street.

PART

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SECRET

FD13/8

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Copy

e.com

TR/CAT A AND BY BAG

TINE FOREIGN OFFICE

GRAM NUMBER 847

RESTRICTED

TO PEKING

24 SEPTEMBER 1969

(F)

148

RESTRICTED.

LAST PAPER

дорогого

ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELNO 847 OF 24 SEPTEMBER REPEATED FOR

INFORMATION TO HONG KONG AND POLAD SINGAPORE AND SAVING TO

VASHINGTON.

K.I.P.T.

UNATTRIBUTABLY SPOKESMAN ADDED:

2674

QUOTE NO ONE HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO SEE MR. GREY SINCE APRIL 23 WHEN THE
FORKER CHARGE D'AFFAIRES, SIR DONALD HOPSON, AND A MEMBER OF HIS STAFF
WERE ALLOWED TO VISIT HIM. HE THEN APPEARED

TO BE IN SATISFACTORY HEALTH. SINCE THEN NO-ONE HAS BEEN ALLOWED

TO SEE HIM AND THERE IS THEREFORE NO HEANS OF VERIFYING WHETHER THE
CHINESE STATEMENTS ARE CORRECT UNQUOTE. END OF UNATTRIBUTABLE. E.
CORRESPONDENT ASKEN WHETHER CHINESE NEVSMEN HELD IN HONG KONG

HAD BEEN ALLOWED CONSULAR ACCESS OR OTHER OFFICIAL VISITORS. 3.
SPOKESMAN REPLIED THIS WAS REALLY FOR CONMO..WEALTH OFFICE TO SAY, BUT
ADDED UNATTRIBUTABLY THAT REGULAR ACCESS WAS ALLOWED TO THESE MEN. THERE
ARE TWO NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY STAFF AND THIRTEEN OTHERS KELD. END
UNATTRIBUTABLE.

SOSFA

DEPARTHEZITAL DISTRIBUTION

F.O.

0.0.

F.3.D.

CONSULAR DEPT.

NEWS DEPT.

F.K.D.

HRWS DEPT.

RESTRICTED

LAST PAPER

CYPHER/GAT -A-

FROM PRIORITY HONG KONG

CONFIDENTIAL

TO.

TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

{

HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO. 362 TO PEKING 3 SEPTEMBER 1968

IDENTIAL

ADDRESSED PEKING TELEGRAH NO. 362 3 SEPTEMBER REPEATED FOR

INFORMATION TO FOREIGN OFFICE.

YOUR TELEGRAM NO. 592.

AN

14

1551378 романа

CHEN FENG-YING AND CHEN TEH-HU, ALONG WITH SIX OTHERS ARRESTED ON

15TH JULY 1967, WERE FINED AND RELEASED ON 5TH AUGUST 1967.

2. ALL THOSE WHO HIGHT BE DESCRIBED AS CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNIST -

PRESS WHO WERE ARRESTED BEFORE GREY WAS DETAINED, AND SENTENCED TO

PRISON TERMS, HAVE NOW BEEN RELEASED EXCEPT FOR TWO SEMICOLON

HSVER CI.E, SIT) AND HUL.

3. TWELVE OTHERS IN THIS CATEGORY WERE ARRESTED AFTER GREY'S

DETENTION CINCLUDING THE PROPRIETORS, EDITORS AND PRINTERS OF THE

THREE SUSPENDED PAPERS). THEY ARE HOT DUE FOR RELEASE CASSUMING FULL,

REMISSION OF ONE-THIRD OF SENTENCE) UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1969 (11 PERSONS)

AND FEBRUARY 1971 C1 PERSON).

FO PLEASE PASS PRIORITY PEKING.

SIR D TRENCH

[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.0.

F.E.D.

CONSULAR DEPT

NEWS DEPT

C.O. H.K.D.

CONFIDENTIAL

1

Cypher/Cat A

PRIORITY

PEKING

CONFIDENTIAL

TO

Jan F

FOREIGN OFFICE

Peking Telegram No. 502 to Hong Kong 31 August 1968

CONFIDENTIAL

(146)

COPY

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31

- 3 SEP 1968

FD1318

Addressed to Hong Kong telegram No. 502 of 31 August, Repeated for
information to Foreign Office.

The Chinese Government statement published in NCNA when Grey was
detained referred not only to Hsueh P'ing but to "NCNA correspondents
Chen Feng-ying and Chen Teh-nu and five other patriotic Chinese
correspondents".

2.

It would be helpful in our discussion of Grey question if you could let
us know whether these prisoners have yet been released.

Foreign Office pass Priority Hong Kong.

Mr. Cradock

[Repeated as requested)

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.0.

F.E.D.

Consular Dept, News Dept.

0.0. Hong Kong Dept.

NNNNN

CONFIDENTIAL

:

+

Cormy & entir

ота

OMG. Copy

ON FC13/82.

Сост

CONFIDENTIAL

TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

145

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31

JUI, 1958

F013/8

:

CAR

VOAT A

ROUTINE HONG FOR

TELEGRAM NUMEFR 323

CONFIDENTIAL.

ADDRESSED PEYING

8 JULY 1968

JELECRAN NO. 323 DATED 8TH JULY REPEATED

FOR INFORMATION TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE.

3781

YOUR TELEGRAM NO. 442 10 THE FOREIGN OFFICE PARAGRAPH 2: GREY.

THIS ALLEGATION HAS APPEARED IN THE COMMUNIST PRESS HERE. THERE

IS NO CREPEATO NO TRUTH IN IT. DETAINEES AT THE VICTORIA DETENTION

CENTRE AFE SOMETIMES HANDCUFFED WHEN PASSING FROM ONE BLOCK WITHIN

THE CENTRE TO ANOTHER SOME EIGHTY YARDS AWAY WHERE INTERVIEWS TAKE
PLACE. THIS IS TO PREVENT ATTEMPTS AT ESCAPE, AND THE HANDCUFFS ARE
REMOVED BEFORE THE DETAINEES SEE THEIR RELATIVES. HANDCUFFS AFE

NOT USED AT ALL IN STANLEY PEJSON,

CO PLEASE PASS PEKING.

SER DE TRENCH

[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

C.0.

H.K.D.

P.E. & P.J.

S.A.D.

NEWS DEPT.

U.N.D.

7.0.

3.E.D.

CONSULAR LAPT.

NEWS DEPA

P...S.P.

C.R.D.

DEPENOL DEPA.

CONFIDENTIAL

Cypher/Cet å

CONFIDENTIAL

PRIORITY PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

c 596

CONFIDANTIAL

24 June 1968

RECEIVED ARCHAYES No.31 25 JUN 1968

FD13/8

COPY

238

144

Juan 157?

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 596 of 24 June, Repeated for
information to Hong kong.

Hong Kong telegram No. 803.

237)

231

We have already

Paragraph 1 of telegram under reference

tried for such a visit, but without success. (My telegram No.524).

2.

Paragraph 2. I am a raid it is much too late in the day for us to delude
Chinese about our anxieties on Grey even if we in this mission were now
instructed to feign disinterest nor could we expect Parliament and
United Kingdom public opinion to maintain suca a pretence.

3.

In the light of telegram under reference Tay I now approach Foreign
Ministry and propose another round of special visits in Hong Kong on the
same terms as before and on the understanding that we would be allowed
another visit to Grey?

Foreign Office pass to Hong Kong 435.

Sir D. Hopson

[Repeated as requested]

DEPAKTLEMIAL DISTRIBUTION

F.0.

F.E.D.

0.0.

H.h.D.

F.0.

Consular Dept.

Defence Dept.

P.U.S.D.

I.K.D.

A second copy sur/be on The file m

CNA prisoners

in HK. не

ショ

+pa

U.N.D.

News Lept.

C.0.

S.A.D.

F.E

& P.D.

DIS. MOD

CONFIDENTI AL

L

Ora, copy on FZ 13/8/233).

Cypher/Cat A

PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Telno. 587

CONFIDENTIAL

RECEIVED IN ¡ARCHIVES No.31

20 JUN 1968

FD13/8

20 June 1968

143

ривать

CONFIDENTIAL

Addressed to Foreign Orrice telegram No 587 of 20 June, Repeated for
information to Hong Kong.

14t/

-

My telegram No. 524. [Visits to Grey].

It is now two months since we saw Grey. It will soon be a year since his
detention and his birthday is on 15 July. Ye may have secured some tiny
improvement in his conditions as a result or interview of 18 May (my
telegrams numbers 452 and 453), but, as I pointed out in my telegram
uncer reference, it is clear that we are not going to obtain further
access without another round of special visits in Hong Kong.

135

2. May I now approach the Foreign Ministry and say that we are ready to
arrange another round of such visits if they will then allow another
visit by staff of this orrice to Grey?

3. On longer term questions, i should be grateful for your views on
points raised in my telegram No. 474, of 24 May, commenting on Hong Kong
telegram No. 643, in particular the suggestion on remission (sub
paragraph )).

Foreign office pass Hong Kong 429.

736

Sir D Hops on.

[Repeated as requested]

DEPARTIE, L'AL DISTRIBUTION

F.O. P.E.D.

Consular Lept.

News Dept.

Defence Dept.

P.U.S.D.

I.R.D.

U.H.D.

C.0. .H.K.D.

News Dept. S.A.D.

F.z. & F.D.

راند

CONFIDZATTAL

137

139

стру

Cypher/Cat A.

PEKING

also

F21378534 SECRET

TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Telno. 553

12 June 1968.

SPARET

+

RECEIVED IN [ARCHIVES 16 3PY

1 JUN 1968

142

FD13

Addressed to Hong Kong telegram No. 396 12 June. Repeated for
information to Foreign Office.

Your telegram No. 643 to Commonwealth Office (paragraph 4).

1377

Has there been further word from Li Choh-Chih since returning to Hong
Kong on 11 May? If not, would there not be advantage in re establishing
contact with him? In present circumstances in particular, this may turn
out to be our most useful channel for explaining Chinese position,
particularly on prisoners.

Foreign Office pass Hong Kong.

Sir D. Hopson.

[ Repeated as requested]

DEPARTEENTAL DISTRIBUTION.

F.0.

Far Bestern

0.0.

Hong Kong Department.

F.C.

C.C.

Consular

Defence Department. P.U.S.D.

I.R.D.

·

News Department.

S. Asia Department. F.E. & P.

News Department.

XXXXX

SECRET.

Japan 17/6

ORIG. Copy on FC 13/12

141

Cypher/Cat A

CONFIDENTIAL

PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Telno 524

4 June, 1968

CONFIDENTIAL

RECEIVED N 4RCHIVES No.31

: - 5 JUN 1968

FD13/8

Sism in preparati

1. pa. 566

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 524 of 4 June Repeated for
information to: Hong Kong

Visits to Grey.

The West German correspondent, Bargmann, recently asked to see Grey in a
letter to Ministry of Foreign Affairs [?grp omitted ?and] in
conversation with NCNA representatives but got nowhere. Bargmann, the
only surviving member of the Press Corps who knows Grey well, is now on
leave.

2. I have sounded a close diplomatic colleague here but found him
reluctant to allow members of his staff to become involved in applying
for visits to Grey. This reaction is probably typical of the rest of the
Corps.

3. It is therefore clear that if we are to obtain further access to
Grey, the only hope lies in offering another round of special visits to
Communist prisoners in Hong Kong.

F.0. pass Hong Kong 375.

Sir D. Hopson

[Repeated as requestedl

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.O. F.E.D.

Consular Dept

News Dept

Defence Dept

P.U.S.D.

I.R.D. U.N.D.

C.O. H.K.D.

News Dept S.A.D. F.E. & P.D.

bbbbb

CONFIDENTIAL

سر

Copy also on F2413/18 (227)

चिअक

شدی

J

CATEGORY A CYPHER

CONFIDENTI AL

FROM PRIORITY HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

TEL NO 668

DATED 25 MAY

1

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No 3:

28 MAY 1968 !

F5131/31

рера Вразит

CONFIDENTIAL.

ADDRESSED PEKING AS MYTEL 251 DATED 25TH MAY RFI CO.

OUR TELEGRAM 217.

SIT AND LO BOTH HAD MONTHLY VISITS ON 24TH MAY.

PEKING 251.

CO PLEASE PASS PRIORITY PEKING 251.

SIX D. FRENCH

[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

0.0.

7.6.

H.K.D.

2.E.F.D.

NEWS DEPT.

7:E.D.

P.U.S.D.

CONSULAR DEPT.

P.C.D.

I.2.D.

NEWS DEPT.

CONFIDENTIAL

140

1

4

ORIG. Copy on FL13/3

CONFIDENTIAL

139

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31

27 MAY 1968

Cypher/Cat A

PRIORITY PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

FD1318

Telno. 474

24 May 1968

CONFIDENTIAL

ре

Рада зора

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 474 of a May, Repeated for
information to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong telegram No. 643: Grey.

I have the following comments:

(a) Paragraph 1 of telegram under reference.

The danger of Chinese slipping people back with false papers would be
present in the same way if confrontation prisoners were sent to reside
in China as we proposed to Lo Kuei'po on 13 April. Any agreement ending
confrontation would be heavily dependent on Chinese good faith; but I
doubt whether that should be regarded as sufficient grounds for refusing
to make such moves. So far, while insisting on outrageous terms, the
Chinese have kept their bargain.

(b) Paragraph 1, third sentence.

The argument about criminals with a record of serious violence is I
imagine hardly applicable in the case of news workers who would be the
price for Grey.

(c) Paragraph 2 (a)

The numbers would not (repeat not) be large if confined to news workers.

(a) Paragraph 5.

This

I hope that consideration will be given to amending rules to allow
greater remission. would seem the most discreet way of handling the
matter and, failing some agreement about sending confrontation prisoners
to China, may be the only means of ensuring Grey's release before
September 1969.

(c) Paragraph 5, final sentence.

I agree that whatever we do we must expect that the Chinese will seek to
present it as a "Victory". But as has been recognised in earlier
telegrams, the Chinese need a face-saver of some kind if they are going
to sign off.

/The problem

CONFIDENTIAL

:

CONFIDENTI AL

2

The problem is to find concessions which would satisfy this requirement
without undermining Hong Kong Government authority. Of course the
Chinese will make publicity, as this would be the whole point of the
operation; but we can surely ridicule this, if concession is of minor
proportions. We should not neglect possibility that public opinion in
Hong Kong, as in the case of the definite agreement last November, would
resot well to measures which they would see as designed to facilitate a
return to normal working relations with China.

Foreign Office pass Priority Hong Kong 341,

Sir D. Hopson

[Repeated as requested)

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.0.

F.E.D.

Consular Dept.

News Dept.

Defence Dept.

P.U.S.D.

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