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discuss the question with a number of leading officials including the following men who are my acquaintances of more than 20 years standing: -
Dr. T. V. Soong (Minister of Foreign Affairs). Dr. Sun Fo (President of the Legislative Yuan).
Dr. Wang Chung Hui (Secretary-General of the Supreme
Council of National Defence).
Gen. Wu Te-Chen (Secretary-General of the Central
Kuomintang Headquarters).
Marshall Li Chi Sin (Director of the South West
Military Headquarters (personal
representative of Generalissimo Chiang)).
Mr. Lin Wei Chee (Minister for Overseas Affairs
Kuomintang headquarters).
Without going into details, the general consensus of opinion thus gained is, that being strong nationalists, they expected the return of Hongkong as a matter of course. This feeling, however, was not shared by all. I mean there were exceptions. One distinguished leader told me that it would be folly for Great Britain to yield to such clamours in the face of such instability and insecurity.
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3. H. M. Government may be aware that, for sometime past, it was the intention of the Chinese Government to recover Hongkong and to make it a free port under the Chinese flag.
4. Unless it is the considered policy of H. M. Government to return the Colony outright and unreservedly after its recapture, I venture to state that it appears to be a possible and wise policy to retain Hongkong for a period of years, with a declaration to the effect that it will be returned eventually to China when law and order will be firmly established under a Unified Government. I do feel that such a declaration should have, a salubrious effect on the nationalists, whilst to the patriots, it will serve as a national stimulus to be continually unified and to strive for improvements in Government.
This policy is further supported by the not unreasonable anticipation of a period of unrest in China following the signing of peace.
5. Furthermore, owing to the innumerable commitments, both local and international, it would be chaotic, if not impossible to return Hongkong to China without due liquidation.
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