5/27/11
HI
ALTERNATIVE DRAFT FOR PARAGRAPH 10 OF THE FAR EASTERN
PLANNING UNIT PAPER ON "THE STATUS OF HONG KONG" AT 57
ON 55063/6(1)
64 on the
(ewelosuo to 64
10. In support of the contention that Britain should
make no concessions in this matter it may be said that the
problem of Hong Kong must be considered against the
background of China's policy of nationalism and racial
expansion throughout Asia. It is probable that any
concession in Hong Kong would be unlikely to "appease"
Chinese imperialism and might well be regarded as
evidence of weakness. If so the concession would be
followed in due course by renewed agitation for the
retrocession of the whole of Hong Kong. Moreover it is
arguable that any concession in Hong Kong would
stimulate agitation in regard to Chinese claims and
ambitions in South East Asia and in particular to her
efforts to organize politically the Chinese communities in
such countries as Malaya. No matter what internal
weakness and division may prevail in China it must be
expected that the Chinese will neglect no means to
further their aims of "peaceful penetration" in these
territories.
Any concession is likely to diminish the value of
the port of Hong Kong which provides the only modern
shipbuilding and repair facilities between Japan and
Singapore.
Future conditions in the former treaty ports
in China cannot as yet be predicted and the surrender
of extraterritorial rights in these cities emphasizes the
need for an area where law and stability can be assured
under British rule. In this connection the interests of
the Dominions should not be overlooked since it seems
probable that Australia, New Zealand and Canada may
develop large scale trade with China. Not only the
Dominions but foreign powers also might well support a
/refusal