14
HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
nationals, came out via Hong Kong, where they were met by representatives of the United States Government and of the American and British Red Cross Societies.
Vessels and aircraft under the control of the Chinese Nationalist authorities in Taiwan continued to interfere with British and other merchant shipping plying between Hong Kong and Chinese mainland ports. A new and more serious manifestation of this interference appeared in attacks by air- craft, both by bombing and gunfire. A number of ships, including 3 British and 1 Norwegian, were damaged by such attacks in the second half of the year. In three cases, in addition to material damage, casualties were sustained. Her Majesty's ships continued to give protection where possible, and protests and claims were lodged with Taiwan.
Relations with the neighbouring Portuguese territory of Macau remained close and friendly. The marriage of the daughter of the Governor of Macau, which was solemnized in the Cathedral there in April, was attended by a large number of friends from Hong Kong, including the Governor and Lady Grantham. Naval visits were exchanged between the two territories, and the Commodore-in-Charge, Hong Kong, paid a formal visit to Macau in November.
UNITED NATIONS
For the first time since the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE) came into existence in 1946, Hong Kong stood host for one of its Conferences, the Sub-Committee on Trade, which was held from 6 to 12 January in the hall of the Grantham Training College, Kowloon. 24 territories were represented. The Sub- Committee was opened by the Governor, and the leader of the Hong Kong Delegation, Dr. S. N. Chau, C.B.E., was unanimously elected Chairman. The Executive Secretary of ECAFE, Dr. P. S. Lokanathan, was the senior U.N. official attending the meetings.
Hong Kong was represented by a four-man delegation at the Eleventh Session of ECAFE, held in Tokyo in March and April, and also at the Seventh Session of the Committee on Industry and Trade which
Trade which preceded the Commission
meetings.