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original
59011/45-
Столетне
Extract from the minutes of a meeting of the War Cabinet Far Eastern Economic Sub-Committee S
held on Thursday, 10th May, 1945.
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126
EL HALL PATCH
4. BRITISH COLONIAL ECONOMIC INTERESTS IN CHINA
The Sub-Committee had before them F.E.(E)(45) 20 Reference was also made to F.E.(E)(45) 4.
IRMAN
THE CHAIRMAN said that the main point of F.E. (E) (45) 20 was that British Colonial interests in China depended on the possession of Hongkong. He expressed doubts as to whether the future of Hongkong as a British possession was clear enough to encourage British interests to assist in its rehabilitation. Much damage had already been done to the colony and more was to be expected before the Japanese were evicted. Furthermore, the leased territories had also to be considered. They were essential for
the defence of Hongkong and for its water supply. From the economic point of view, unless the Chinese Government acquiesced in the continuance of British possession of the Colony, it would not be worth very much to us.
There was some support for this view.
A
MR. THOROGOOD said that the Colonial Office had no doubts whatever with regard to the future of Hongkong and their plans were based on the assumption that Hongkong would remain a British possession. declaration to this effect had been made by the Deputy Prime Minister in the House of Commons on 8th November 1944+. He understood that the commercial interests concerned, e.g. members of the China
Association
+Text of the Deputy Prime Minister's declaration
is annexed to F.E. (44)4.