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Apart from this, there seem to be three main general points: (1) The question of Hongkong is one between Great Britain
and China, and the Chinese Government must be aware of the pres-
ent attitude of His Majesty's Government as recently reaffirmed
in Parliament.
(2) Having lost Hongkong to the enemy, it is a point of
national honour for us to recover it.
(3). We have a heavy responsibility in respect of Hongkong
towards all nations interested in the stability and welfare of the
Far East. The position of Hongkong as a great centre of popu-
lation and a focus of shipping, commercial and other activities,
give it a special role in the furtherance of these objects, which
may be even more importat in the coming period of reconstruction
than in the past. We therefore regard it as a national duty not
only to recover the Colony but to restore it to its state of order
and prosperity.
5.
These are the two aims on which we have at present to concen-
trate our attention: recovery and rehabilitation.
Foreign Office,
3rd April, 1945.
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