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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
CO 537/1427
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restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet. Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright
00223
Extract from all Canton Papers of 28th Nov. '45.
On the afternoon of 17th November, over ten journalists proceeded to the New Territories in order to investigate the airfield there. Flags were seen erected along the road on the approaches to Pingshan Village to mark the area for the construction of the airfield, and workmen were seen actively carrying out their work. According to the Hongkong Government, the area of the Pingshan airfield is 5 miles which includes Pingshan, Tan Kwai, and 6 other villages, and there are very few houses and mostly uncultivated lend within that area. However, the reporters found from their investigation that in the site of the airfield there are acres and acres of paddy fields one linking to the other. In- cidentally, it was just time for winter harvest, so the journalists witnessed many farmers working on the fields and there was practically not a single foot or a single inch of uncultivated land. The number of houses in that area cannot, of course, be compared with that in the flourishing part of a city, but, as it is a wide area and if all houses are to be pulled down, a total number of over 500 houses are involved. The journalists attend- ed a meeting held at night by the village representatives, who raised to make suggestions one after the other during the meeting. The atmosphere of the meeting showed that the objections they raised actually came of their own accord and they were not instigated by other people. It is observed that, as the matter is still progressing, there is the possibility that it will be enlarged." During the past few days, all the local newspapers in Hongkong, including the South hina sorning Post, pub- lished in prominent headlines the news of the villagers' appeal to stop the construction of the field. The villages in the vicinity of Yuen Long are at present responding by joining in the campaign. It is generally believed that within a few days' time, all the villagers in the New Territories will make a larger and constitu- tional revelation.
In order to obtain the opinion of the Chinese authorities in this matter, the journalists specially called on General Chau Ngan Bun of the chinese Military Mission in Hongkong on 17th November. General Chau told the journalists that the matter has been telegraphed to the Central Government for instructi ond and guidance, and is still awaiting for a reply. He
1
2
Cms
Ref.:
CO 537/1427
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
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Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright.
restrictions.
Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions o
of supply of National Archives' leaflet.