N'T
42 99
Cypher/OTP.
DIPLOMATIC DISTRIBUTION.
FROM TAMSUI TO FOREIGN OFFICE.
His Majesty's Consul. No.194.
18th November, 1949.
D. 12.21 p.m. 18th November, 1949.
R. 12.49 p.m. 18th November, 1949.
Repeated to Nanking, Chungking, Hong Kong.
IMMEDIATE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No.194 of 18th November. repeated for information to Nanking, Chungking and Hong Kong.
(40)
I was informed in Hong Kong telegram No.52 of November 3rd to Governor of Singapore (repeated to Seoretary of State for Colonies No.11gpundec.? 76] Kuala Lumpur, Batavia, Bangkok, Mauritius, Manila, Saigon, San Francisco and myself) that Chinese entering Hong Kong require visas.
2. As Chinese travelling to Hong Kong from Formosa number from 500 to 1,000 per week introduction of visa system requires considerable organisation both as regards staff of Consulate and establishment by Chinese authorities of machinery to issue passports for Hong Kong, for which no prior regulations or arrangements existed. I therefore asked the Hong Kong Government by priority telegram November 5th whether Chinese Government had been informed and when the regulation was to come into force stating that I could not cope with these enormous visa duties without additional staff. (See my telegram 233 to Nanking paragraph 3), and would meanwhile withhold notification to local authorities. Despite two further requests by immediate telegram I have still received no (repeat no reply. Meanwhile conflicting rumours have circulated locally and shipping companies have obtained confirmation from Hong Kong that the regulation is already in force. I therefore notified the local authorities without awaiting Hong Kong's reply.
3. My Taipei office is now inundated with visa applicants most of whom have no passports as Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs was apparently not informed and has made no preparation. Sudden enforcement of this restriction without warning or consultation with visa issuing posts has thus led to great confusion here and much bad feeling by all public and British shipping companies which has not been increased [sic] by press reports that regulation does not apply to travellers from Communist China.
/4. Commissioner of
Page 100Page 101