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4.
5.
4.
Time is fast approaching when BRITAIN should of its own
free will, and in realistic appreciation that retention
of HONGKONG can only lead to never-ending trouble with
CHINA, announce its intention to retrocede HONGKONG to
CHINA in generous appreciation of the part played by CHINA
in Allied resistance to JAPAN and as recognition of CHINA
as a first-class and friendly Power.
The
This line is that of Chinese propaganda.
Chinese would not respect us long for it and would regard
it as a sign of weakness. "Warm Gratitude lasts for
five minutes", is a Chinese saying. As soon as they had
assimilated the gift, they would seek for more favours,
possibly in MALAYA, and focus their attention on INDIA. It
would eventually weaken our prestige as we would find out
as soon as circumstances forced us to a crisis in CHINA.
Indicate the possibility that H.M.G. might be disposed
to consider placing HONGKONG under the aegis of an Allied
New Order after the War.
*
Unless the NETHERLANDS and U.S.A. adopt the same
course, and the Dominions favour it, this seems too
nebulous to consider now. Would the sovereignty rest in
the New Order in a condominium or in a Mandatory Power?
If the latter, would it be BRITAIN or CHINA?
might, however, be made by New Order Planners.
BRITAIN and the Empire should not be committed beforehand to
an undertaking to consider HONGKONG as an isolated question.
The suggestion
If so,
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