FCO 21/1141 Visit of Pai Hsiang-kuo, Chinese Minister of Foreign Trade, to the UK, 13-18 January 1973

FILE No.

PART

STAMP

YEAR

1973

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CONFIDENTIAL

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PRISNERS

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CONFIDENTIAL

YEAR STAMP

1973

REF SCR 7/3371/68 III

126

CONFIDENTIAL

COLONIAL SECRETARIAT

LOWER ALBERT ROAD

HONG KONG

H L1 Davies Esq

FED

FCO

4 May 1973

The back at 1415

This Well, e. Hreys in 15/5

PAK

1515 Exter

Dean Hagan

CONFRONTATION PRISONERS

We reported the release of IP Tat-shing and

CHU Tsz-tim in our telegram 476

Their departure

from jail was of course reported i n this morning's press, with a somewhat carping editorial in the South China Morning Post.

The communist press reported the release with very little more prominence than they gave to

the earlier releases. Most important from our point of view was that both in headlines and text

their account referred to IP and CHU as "the last

two".

With luck therefore

to be regarded as a normal criminal.

Your Отки

can continue

(T JB George)

CS. 4LA

RC Samuel Esq Peking

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr Ching Li-chen Director

Consular Department

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

16,"

BRITISH EMBASSY

PEKING

2 May 1973

You will be glad to hear that Ip Tat-shing and Chu Ving-kuen who are the last two of the prisoners convicted at the time of the 1967 disturbances in Hong Kong, are to be released tomorrow. Their release is the result of the regular process of review of all long-term prison sentences in Hong Kong.

I take this opportunity to convey my beat wishes,

MH Morgan

blind conies sent to

R J Stratton Esq

Hong Kong

RM Evans 3sq FED, FOO

ref Hong Hong telno 72 of 28 April

Mr Ching Li-chen Director

Consular Department

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

BRITISH EMBASSY

PEKING

2 May 1973

You will be glad to hear that Ip Tat-shing and Chu Wing-huen who are the last two of the prisoners

convicted at the time of the 1967 disturbances in

Hong Kong, are to be released tomorrow. Their release is the result of the regular process of review of all long-term prison sentences in Hong Kong.

I take this opportunity to convey my best wishes,

M H Korgan

blind conies sent ta

R J Stratën Ssa

Hong Kong

RH Evans Seq

FAD, 200

ref Hong Kong telno 72 of 28 April

毗

CYPHER CAT A

Com 100

CONFIDENTIAL

FP PEXING 898500Z

CONFIDENTIAL

.2+)

TUT LUPY

TO ROUTINE FCO TELNO 557 OF 9 MAY, REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG (PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR).

FOLLOWING FROM SAMUEL

MIPT

AT THE END OF MY CALL ON THE ASSISTANT FOREIGN MINISTER CHANG WEN-CHIN THIS MORNING HE SAID HOW GLAD THE CHINESE GOVERN- MENT WAS TO SEE THAT THE LAST REMAINING CONFRONTATION PRISONERS HAD BEEN RELEASED IN HONG KONG. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ATTACHED GREAT SIGNIFICANCE TO THE MEASURES WHICH HAD BEEN TAKEN BY HMG AND THE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES AND WAS GRATEFUL FOR THEM. HE ADDED THAT SINCE ALL REMAINING BRITISH SUBJECTS DETAINED IN CHINA HAD NOW BEEN RELEASED THAT BUSINESS WAS ALL PAST^',

MORGAN

FILES

F.E.D.

P & C.D.

W.E.D.

P.S.

FS/MR AMERY

PS/MR ROYLE

SIR E NORRIS MR WIGGIN MR WILFORD

CONFIDENTIAL

DUN FO A3//9

LIM 203/09

RR FCO

RR HONG KONG

GR 199

CYPHER CAT A

ADVANCE COPY

Mi Dayiz"/ MiDa

pim.

Ka Fed

FM PEKING popsanz

R.E. 1575.

CONFIDENTIAL

(Ziles) Many thanks.

RE.

Glávk

Mi Clark 10/5.

We ought to mention to неоидито

the fimbassy Mitrilford's removkin the chikese Ambasador.

TO ROUTINE FCO TELNO 557 OF MAY, REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG (PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR).

Mr Evans

RE.

915.

FOLLOWING FROM SAMUEL

I have already written

Glark

راو

MIPT

　　　　　　AT THE END OF MY CALL ON THE ASSISTANT FOREIGN MINISTER CHANG WEN-CHIN THIS MORNING HE SAID HOW GLAD THE CHINESE GOVERN- MENT WAS TO SEE THAT THE LAST REMAINING CONFRONTATION PRISONERS HAD REEN RELEASED IN HONGK KONG, THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ATTACHED GREAT SIGNIFICANCE TO THE MEASURES WHICH HAD BEEN TAKEN BY HMG AND THE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES AND WAS GRATEFUL FOR THEM. HE ADDED THAT SINCE ALL REMAINING BRITISH SUBJECTS DETAINED IN CHINA HAD NOW BEEN RELEASED 'THAT BUSINESS WAS ALL PAST**

MORGAN

NNNN

I suppose that this is stricity cose. Ave any dual majonees ster dcrained?

Mr Dantes.

you

The Chatte. The Evans olen

possibility

Tuse one Her Nationality stating are mvestigating.

know the answer G *

- a "This Greta Sung. extremely unclear. N+T.D.

915

welf

The Forens

Enter +pe Done. Enter

Reference Got

기나

LEHH 14 13

Mi Stark. Pe. drop

a live to Peking

and Hong Kong.

Wiltow

Wilford.

Confrontation Prisoners.

Please see

the attached telegrams.

with The Royle's office. He did

2.I have checked

ust

fact have

a word

with the Chinese

Ambassador.

the

these

may wish to do

Circumstances

Shen Thr Sung calls this morning

The Wilford

at 11:00 am,

Thi Lagan believes the M. Royle (who is away to-day) would be quite comiené for you to have a word winni sung.

2. M: ENC

&115

R.E. 715

Rin. Erons

4 May, 1973.

трова

M: Royle's

behalf.

The Ambersonn

Hakes M. Royle for his thought

at said that the inking of this

11 friction

be three on

(293) 397463

1/73

two comme

melaha

• geese com 4/

CONFIDENTIAL

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1

Telephone 01. 930 8440

MH Morgan Esq PEKING

Your reference

Our reference

Date

FEH 14

{

7 May 1973

CONFRONTATION PRISONERS

FCO telegram No 514 to Peking and Hong Kong

1. In the event Michael Wilford mentioned the satisfactory end to this matter on Mr Royle's behalf when the Chinese Ambassador called on 4 May. said that the

Mr Sung

be good FOR OUR felation;

R J HONG KONG

Stratton Esq

CONFIDENTIAL

GE Clark

Far Eastern Department

جر

ht nots-

}

GR 65

PRIORITY

CONFIDENTIAL

CYPHER CAT A

FM F C O 941503Z

(FEA 14/1

CONFIDENTIAL

MAY INDO

TO PRIORITY GOVERNOR HONG KONG TELNO 438 OF 4 MAY/INFO PEKING.

YOUR TELEGRAMS NO. 72 TO. PEKING AND NO. 476 TO FCO: CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.

FOLLOWING FROM MR ROYLE,

1. I AM DELIGHTED THAT THIS LONG-STANDING PROBLEM IS NOW FINALLY OUT OF THE WAY. 1 AN MOST GRATEFUL TO YOU PERSONALLY AND SHOULD

BE GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD PASS ON MY THANKS TO ALL THOSE CONCERNED

FOR THE SKILL WITH WHICH THIS MATTER HAS BEEN HANDLED.

DOUGLAS-HOME

FILES

FED

HK100

PRIVATE SECRETARY

MR VILFORD

SIR E NORRIS

PS TO MR ROYLE

CONFIDENTIAL

जोक

Mr Evans

Hr Mark

CONFIDENTIAL

Anteil. For 14

Enter +p.a

715

A, B

RELEASE OF CONFRONTATION PRISONERS IN HONG KONG

1. The last two Confrontation Prisoners were released on

3 May (Hong Kong telegrams no 72 to Peking and no 476 to FCO). This brings to an end a problem which has bedevilled our relations with China since 1967.

From

1832 men and women were convicted of offences during the confrontation riots of the summer of 1967 and imprisoned.

the beginning the Chinese consistently pressed us to release

There is no

doubt that the arrest and detention of many of the British subjects held in China during this period was directly related to this issue. The Chinese invariably parried our protests about the British detainees by demanding the release of the confrontation prisoners. Although we have never publicly admitted any linkage, the Chinese maintained it to the end. The last three British subjects detained in China were released on 27 January. In informing us of their release the Chinese made it clear that they hoped for an early solution in the cases of the last four Confrontation Prisoners. Although these four

had all been convicted of serious crimes of violence the Prison

Board of Review decided in January to recommend the necessary

reduction in their sentences to bring about their release by the end of May.

3. Mr Royle wrote to the Governor on 26 January to express his pleasure at the decision of the Board of Review. Mr Wilford has now suggested that Mr Royle should send a further message. In view of the fact that Mr Royle sent the earlier message not long ago and in view of the fact that these final releases mark something of a milestone, I think it would be appropriate for the Secretary of State to send a short message on this occasion. I submit a draft telegram. HK10D concur.

3 May 1973

cc: HKIOD

CONFIDENTIAL

H 1 Davies

agree

with the recommendation .

Gellark

3/5

think this should

Reyle. Lagre

go from Mi to the rasage

крадк

IMMEDIATE

GRPS 50

CYPHER CAT A

FM PEKING #38730Z

CONFIDENTIAL

DESKBY #398980Z

CONFIDENTIAL

*73

Fal

TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELNO 542 OF 3 MAY INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG.

YOUR TELEGRAM NO 514: CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.

1. CHINESE WERE INFORMED OF IMPENDING RELEASE BY LETTER TO HEAD OF CONSULAR DEPARTMENT DELIVERED TO MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. COPY OF LETTER FOLLOWS BY BAG.

MORGAN

FILES

F.E.D.

HKIOD

PS/MR ROYLE MR WILFORD

CONFIDENTIAL

(19

IMMEDIATE

CYPHER/CAT A

GPS 20

FM HONG KONG Ø3032ØZ

RESTRICTED

TOP COFY

KREDIATE

FEH

1973

TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELNO 476 OF 3 MAY/INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING.

YOUR TELEGRAM 514 TO PEKING.

от

PERSONS NAMED IN OUR TELEGRAM 72 TO PEKING WERE RELEASED AT 1100 HOURS LOCAL TODAY.

MACLEHOSE

FILES

FED

HKIOD

PS/MR ROYLE MR WILFURD SIR E NORRIS

RESTRICTED

PRIORITY

CYPHER/CAT-A-

GFS 70

FM FCO 0209202

CONFIDENTIAL

/1973

(FE

TO PRIORITY PEKING TELNO 514 OF 2 MAY AND TO HONG KONG.

HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO 72: CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.

1. SINCE THESE ARE THE LAST TWO CONFRONTATION PRISONERS MR.

ROYLE INTENDS TO MENTION IT TO THE CHINESE AMBASSADOR. PLEASE

THEREFORE INFORM US AS SOON AS THE CHINESE HAVE BEEN TOLD OF THE

PRISONERS' RELEASE.

DOUGLAS-HOME

FILES

FED

HKIOD

PS/MR ROYLE

MR WILFORD

CONFIDENTIAL

GPS 200 PRIORITY

CYPPER/CAT A

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG 2801øøz

CONFIDENTIAL

FEH

14/1

TO PRIORITY PEKING TELNO 72 OF 28 APRILZINFO PRIORITY FCO.

MY TELNO 591 CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.

WE HAVE DECIDED TO RELEASE SIMULTANEOULSY THE LAST TWO CONFRONT- ATION PRISONERS. IP TAT-SHING AND CHU TSZ-TIM (ALIAS CHU WING-KUEN) WILL ACCORDINGLY BE FREED ON 3 MAY. SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD DELAY TELLING THE CHINESE UNTIL THE LAST POSSIBLE

MOMENT IN ORDER TO LESSEN THE RISK OF PUBLICITY.

2. IN ADDITION TO THE EXPLANATION THAT THE RELEASES ARE THE RESULT

I WOULD LIKE YOU TO MAKE THE POINT-

THAT THESE TWO ARE THE LAST TO BE FREED OF THOS CONVICTED AT THE TIME OF THE 1967 DISTURBANCES IN HONG KONG, ONE PRISONER, HO CHEUNG (TO WHOM WE WOULD NOT WISH YOU TO REFER), REMAINS IN GAOL AS A RESULT OF A CRIME COMMITTED IN 1967. BUT HE WAS CONVICTED (OF KILLING A POLICEMAN) ONLY IN 1971 AFTER RETURN FROM CHINA: AND HE HAS NOT BEEN CONSIDERED BY US (OR APPARENTLY THE CHINESE) AS BEING IN THE SAME CATEGORY AS THE CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.

MACLEHOSE

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

/REPEATED AS REQUESTED/

FED

HK10D

PUSD

CONSULAR D

IRD

NEWS D

RES O (F E SECT,

CONFIDENTIAL

CPS 200 PRIORITY

HER/CAT A

FM HONG KONG 2801002

CONFIDENTIAL

w/16

771

RAR PEAR

alr

Miss

Kathy

could son tag a draft

me?

Des

TO PRIORITY PEKING TELNO 72 OF 28 APRILYNE PRIORITY FCO.

MY TELNO 59 CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.

WE HAVE DECIDED TO RELEASE SIMULTANEOULSY THE LAST TWO CONFRONT- ATION PRISONERS. IP TAT-SHING AND CHU TSZ-TIM (ALIAS CHU WING-KUEN) WILL ACCORDINGLY BE FREED ON 3 MAY. I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD DELAY TELLING THE CHINESE UNTIL THE LAST POSSIBLE ·

MOMENT

2. IN ADDITION TO THE EXPLANATION THAT THE RELEASES ARE THE RESULT

OF THE USUAL REVIEW PROCESS I WOULD LIKE YOU TO MAKE THE POINT

THAT THESE TWO ARE THE LAST TO BE FREED OF THOSE CONVICTED AT THE

TIME OF THE 1967 DISTURBANCES IN HONG KONG. ONE PRISONER, HO CHEUNG (TO WHOM WE WOULD NOT WISH YOU TO REFER), REMAINS IN GAOL AS A RESULT OF A CRIME COMMITTED IN 1967. BUT HE WAS CONVICTED (OF KILLING A POLICEMAN) ONLY IN 1971 AFTER RETURN FROM CHINA: AND HE HAS NOT BEEN CONSIDERED BY US (OR APPARENTLY THE CHINESE) AS BEING IN THE SAME CATEGORY AS THE CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.

MACLEHOSE

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

FED

HKIOD

FUSD

CONSULAR D

IRD

NEWS D

RES DFE SECT)

REPEATED AS REQUESTED/

CONFIDENTIAL

мож

HK Dept

I think it wo be

good

дооб

thing if M. Royle

were to send

Com

special

message .M to thank min for the skill with which this wattler has been hashed

نسا

Hr Sanor Teening Director

Consular Department

Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Peking

、。

BRELISH ZER

PRKING

311 March 1973

Tan writing further to my letter of 5 March

to let you know that one more of the prisoners in Hong Kong, Lo Thui-yan, is to be released on 2 Atril as a result of the regular process of review accorted to all long term

prison sentences in Hong Kong.

wishes.

I take this gamortunity to panvey my best

יו

וז

blind copies to

r j stalten em

Dương Hoàng

non tervey luz For Care Dant

K H Xorgan

تني

на

نت

سكن

Fork

2214

1574

17A

Ar Obeng Tsan-ging Director

O^pavflar Desartpant Mindwtry of Fin Peking

TRE

PAKIE'S

31o Marsh

"I am writing further to xy lettester 3 Marchi

to let you know that one more of the prisoned in "lang" Long,

Lo Sui-yan, is to be released on 2 Arril

of the regular process of review accortek

prison sentences in Hong Kong.

I take this opmorbunitý te

resurs

all Long

tera

best

wishes.

blind comes, it

1 j allen Esot

Rong Kong

1,3 ni 1Zervey Bay

izera For Carter

Dept

İH Xorgan

شت

1579

:: Pork

1214

PRIORITY

CONFIDENTIAL-

TOP CO

For 1/1

FEN 14

CYPHER/CAT A

GFS 35

FM HONG KONG 271000Z

CONFIDENTIAL

انسية

1973

TO PRIORITY PEKING TELNO 59 OF 27 MARCH/INFO PRIORITY FCO.

MY TELNO 39: CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.

LO SHUT-YAN WILL BE RELEASED ON 2 APRIL. GRATEFUL IF THE MEA

WERE INFORMED NOT EARLIER THAN 31 MARCH, AND USING THE FORM OF WORDS IN MY REFERENCE TELEGRAM.

MACLEHOSE

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

FED

AKCIOD

PUSD

CONSULAR D.

IRD V

NEWS D.

RES.D.(FE.SECT)

CONFIDENTIAL

21/3

રે

Mr Chang Pirestor

Consular "eertsent

Finistry of Foreign Affairs

...oking

BRITISH KIA Y

PEKTRO

3 March 1973

فا

I am writing further to up letter of 23 January

to let you law that in more of the prisoners in long Lengt

го

fuskui, lễ to be released on 6 Farah as a result of the

LAZ

zoens of review accorded to all long-term prison

centrnced in Ning 7ong a

1 take this oppertmity to convey my best wishes,

NX Forgan

1917 بکیری

blind copies to:

R J Stratton Beq

Hong Kong

RBK Hervey saq

Far Bastern Department FOO

4he

प्लेज Entente fy

5220/3

1913

PRIORITY

CYPHER/CAT A

FM HONG KONG 030150Z

CONFIDENTIAL

pan

CONFIDENTIAL

1973

TO PRIORITY PEKING TELNO 39 OF 3 MARCH INFO PRIORITY FCO.

MY TELNO 381 CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.

MOK WILL BE RELEASED ON TUESDAY 6 MARCH. WHEN YOU TELL THE MFA I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD MERELY SAY THAT HE IS BEING RELEASED AS A RESULT OF THE REGULAR PROCESS OF REVIEW ACCORDED TO ALL LONG-TERM PRISON SENTENCES.

MACLEHOSE

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

FED

HKI OD

PUS D

CONSULAR DEPT

IRD

NEWS DEPT

RESEARCH DEPT (F E SECTION)

CONFIDENTIAL

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CYPHER/CAT A

FM HONG KONG 010945Z

CONFIDENTIAL

TOP COPY

1973

lál 14

TO PRIORITY PEKING TELNO 38 OF 1 MARCH/INFO PRIORITY FCO.

YOUR TELNO 244: CONFRONTATION PRISONERS. {

THE FIRST TO BE RELEASED WILL BE MOK SIU-KUI. WE WILL LET YOU

HAVE A DATE SHORTLY.

MACLE OSE

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

FED

[REPEATED AS REQUESTED)

CONSULAR DEPT

HKI OD

PUS D

IR D

NEWS DEPT

RESEARCH DEPT (F E SECTION)

CONFIDENTIAL

IMMEDIATE

CYPHER CAT A

FM PEKING 2707492

CONFIDENTIAL

15 19/1

•

TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELEGRAM NO 244 OF 27 FEBRUARY/AND TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG INFO IMMEDIATE PARIS ( FOR SEC OF STATES

PRIVATE SEC.

HONG KONG TELNO 74 OF 19 JANUARY TO FCO PARA 3: CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.

1. GRATEFUL IF HONG KONG WOULD CONFIRM NAME AND DATE OF RELEASE

OF FIRST OF LAST 4 PRISONERS SO THAT WE CAN FULFIL

MR ROYLE'S UNDERTAKING, GIVEN TO CHIAO KUAN-HUA LAST YEAR,

TO KEEP THE MFA INFORMED.

ADDIS

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

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1 RD

CONFIDENTIAL

From the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

YCH 14 14

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London S.W.1

26 January, 1973

I was delighted to learn from your telegram No 74 of the Review Board's decision to reduce the sentences of the remaining confrontation prisoners. I realise that this decision was, properly, taken in the context of Hong Kong and of the merits of the individual cases. The incidental benefit to our interests in China is nevertheless welcome.

We agree with your proposals for phased release and will speak to Chi on the lines you suggest.

I should be grateful if you would express my personal thanks and appreciation to Denys Roberts course, accept them yourself!

and also, of

His Excellency Sir Murray MacLehose,

Governor,

Hong Kong

Anthony Royle

K.C.M.G., M.B.E.,

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

HOFO@#3/29

RR F C O

RR PEKING

CRP$ 180

CYPHER/CAT A

Mi Clark. Yes.

светка

The decision to releasedio Prisoners before the end of mas

sow

been Taken

FM HONG KONG 35#220Z

CONFIDENTIAL

Taken.

R.E.

37%.

Winter

M. Clark.

This sermonight to me.cohai do

You think?

R.K Z

30%

Ida FED

Деля

TO ROUTINE F C O TELNO 122 OF 29TH JANUARY, 1973. INFO ROUTINE

PEKING.

MY TELNO 741 CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.

I HAVE NOW SEEN H.M. AMBASSADOR'S LETTER TO WILFORD OF 17 JANUARY,

FOR MY PART I WOULD PREFER THAT

A) WE DID NOT TAKE THE INITIATIVE ON THIS NOW SMALL MATTER. D) IF ASKED WE REPLIED AS IN MY PARA. 5 RATHER THAN AS PROPOSED BY

H.M. AMBASSADOR. WE SHOULD MAINTAIN THE OUTWARD POSITION THAT WE ARE GOVERNED BY LEGAL PROCESSES NOT POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY.

2. IT WAS INTERESTING THAT THE BRITISH RENEGADES WERE RELEASED

ON THE DAY AFTER THE LAST OF THE 3 CONFRONTATION PRISONERS CAME

OUT.

MACLEHOSE

Mr Exams.

NWNN

SENT AT #3#52/8 EJH

I would

go further question

the need to be quite so lenient to the 4 hard-core prismers. We've always tow the Chinese that they are vile miscreants who don't deserve clemency. The cartier releases which is all we've promised have

ik achieved our objectives

Gellark

3047

CYPHER/CAT A

TOP COPY

CONFIDENTIAL

Kan m/

FM HONG KONG 300220Z

CONFIDENTIAL

TO ROUTINE F C O TELNO 122 OF 29TH JANUARY, 1973. INFO ROUTINE PEKING.

MY TELNO 74: CONFRONTATION PRISONERS,

I HAVE NOW SEEN H,M. AMBASSADOR'S LETTER TO WILFORD OF 17 JANUARY.

FOR MY PART I WOULD PREFER THAT

A) WE DID NOT TAKE THE INITIATIVE ON THIS NOW SMALL MATTER.

B) IF ASKED WE REPLIED AS IN MY PARA. 5 RATHER THAN AS PROPOSED BY

H.M. AMBASSADOR, WE SHOULD MAINTAIN THE OUTWARD POSITION

THAT WE ARE GOVERNED BY LEGAL PROCESSES NOT POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY.

2. IT WAS INTERESTING THAT THE BRITISH RENEGADES WERE RELEASED ON THE DAY AFTER THE LAST OF THE 3 CONFRONTATION PRISONERS CAME CUT.

MACLEHOSE

[REPEATED AS REDESTED]

DURAKUN ENTAL DISTRIBUTION:

PAU

.IKTOD

FUSD

CONSULAR D

TEUS D

ZRD

CARCH D (FE SECT]

CONFIDENT LAL

RJ Stratton Esq FONG KONG

CONFIDENTIAL

930 8440 Arta 553

(YEH 14/1)

25 January 1973

CONFRONTATION PRISONERS

Thank you for your telegram No 74 which, needless to say, we were very pleased to get. The Secretary of State has mimited "Good". As you say, we clearly owe the Attorney General a vote of thanks. It is a great relief to know that this problem will finally be out of the way by the summer.

2. We shall be briefing the Secretary of State to speak to Chi P'eng-fei on the lines suggested in paragraph 5 of your telegran.

MH Morgan Esq PELING

CONFIDENTIAL

RM Evans

Far Eastern Department

He Chang Direstor

Consular Department

Finistry of Foreign Affairs Peking

BRĪNIJA SRBAS. Y

23 January 1973

FEH 14/1

ICH

You will wink to know that the last of

(res ¿Flaɔners in Sang tang, those in anding

simly releuse van the subject of a noeting between

myrbaaand or uni tanishant

Greign Minister

Zesember 1972, vill be relenood

25 Janua

Jamssay.

I take this opportunity to convey my best

Presumably the release

什

blind copies to:

the three Britons was in

response

to this. Do we need

R & Stratton :Batherefore to hasten the hard

Hong Kong

нкогу

core releases in H.K?

R BR Hervey Beq

FRD, PCO

Plow RE

2911 p don't think

this should floor

292

be allowed to affect the intended release of the remarking of

4 p

[

20/1

Sir E Norris

PS Mr Royle

CONFIDENTIAL

Flag A

1. Mr Royle minuted on Hong Kong telegram No 74 that he

would like to write a letter of thanks and appreciation to

the Governor and Mr Roberts, for their part in the decision

of the Review Board to reduce the sentences of the four

remaining confrontation prisoners.

We could at the same time indicate that we agree with

the proposal to stagger the release of the prisoners and

to explain this to Mr Chài. I submit a draft letter

accordingly which has been agreed with FED.

23 January 1973

CONFIDENTIAL

A C Stuart

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department

Main

24/1

CONFIDENTIAL

CSHER/CAT A

ONG KONG 190350Z

CONFIDENTIAL

TO ROUTINE FCO TELNO 74 OF 19 JANUARY/11983

CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.

PEKING.

FECH 14/1

THE BOARD OF REVIEW HAVE NOW REDUCED THE SENTENCES OF THE 4 WHO WILL REMAIN AFTER CHINESE NEW YEAR TO 8 YEARS EACH. THIS MEANS THAT WITH NORMAL REMISSION THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RELEASE AT

ANY TIME FROM NOW ON.

2. HOWEVER, THE BOARD ADDED THE RIDER THAT THEY WWISHED THE RELEASES

TO BE

AND THAT IN PARTICULAR THEY SHOULD NOT BE BUNCHED. IN EFFECT THIS MEANS THAT THIS FINAL SERIES OF RELEASES SHOULD AWAIT THE COMPLETION OF THOSE LAST REFERRED TO IN THE FIRST SENTENCE OF PEKING TELEGRAM

1377. THE LAST OF THESE WILL BE ON 25 JANUARY.

3. I AM SURE THAT THE BOARD'S RECOMMENDATION IS RIGHT: HAVING

REGARD TO THE NATURE OF THE

THEREFORE PROPOSE TO RELEASE THE MEN AT MONTHLY INTERVALS, THE FIRST AT THE END OF FEBRUARY.

FOR SECURING THIS

DECISION FROM THE BOARD AND SO CLEARING THE WAY FOR THE FINAL

DISPOSAL OF THIS PROBLEM.

5. IF THIS SUBJECT CROPS UP DURING CHI'S VISIT IT WILL THUS BE POSSIBLE TO SAY, IN CONFIDENCE, THAT FOLLOWING THE NORMAL PROCEDURES OF REVIEW THE LAST PRISONER WILL BE RELEASED BY THE END OF MAY.

MACLEHOSE

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FM HONG KONG 190963Z

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TO PRIORITY PEKING TELNO 10 CF 19TH JANUARY, 1973. INFO ROUTINE FCO.

MY TELEGRAM NO. 5 TO YOU AND MY TELECRAM 74 TO S OF S, PARA, 2: CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.

CHAN SUN-KEUNG WILL BR RELEASED ON 25TH JANUAY,

MACLEHOSE

[REPEATED AS REQUESTED)

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K M Wilforů Esy OMG

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SECRET

га

BRITISH ELBASSY

PEKING

17 January 1973

M Evano.

I doubt if the Farcium at buy thei

TEH 14 |

Dear Michael,

CONFRONTATION PRISONERS

1. In paragraph 12 a of Hong Kong telegram No 50 of 12 January Murray Maclehose says that he intends to release all the remaining confrontation prisoners by the middle of this year.

2. You may wish to consider whether this information should be conveyed to Chi P'eng-fei by the Secretary of State during Chi's visit to London at the end of next month. It could be represented as a friendly concession to honour Chi's visit to London and to strengthen Anglo/Chinese relations.

Yours sincerely,

John Addis

Copy: Governor, Hong Kong

J ... Addis

SECRET

BAITION EXBASSI

PRICING

9 January 1973

Kr Chang fean-ming, Director,

Consular Department, Kinistry of Foreign Affairs Peking

FEH 14

You will wish to know that the second of the thres

prisoners in Hong Kong, vhose impending early release was

the subject of a meeting between my Ambassador and

Assistant Foreign Minister Chang Ven-shin on 9 December 1972,

will be released on 10 Jamary.

I take this opportunity to convey my best wiches,

blind copies to:

R J Stratton Esq Hong Kong

R BR Hervey Esq Far Eastern Dept FCO

N N Morgan

Stark 4/12

Dovet 15%

НК мо

دمدتا

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TO PRIORITY PEKING TELNO 5 OF 8TH JANUARY, 1973. INFO ROUTINE F.C.0.

MY TELEGRAM NO. 173.

CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.

CHAN YUK-WAH WILL BE RELEASED ON 10 JANUARY.

MACLEHOSE

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