24. for. Hong Kong Conf. Despatch with encl.
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28-11-46
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The Governor has forwarded a very interesting and
useful account by the Acting Secretary for Chinese
Affairs of the present position of the Kuomintang
in Hong Kong. Mr. Megarry explains how underground
activities against the Japanese during the war enabled
the Kuomintang to achieve a position in Hong Kong much
in advance of anything that had been possible before
Houp Koup 1939. The late head of the Kuomintang, was accorded
recognition which, of course, implied recognition
of the Kuominta
Kuomintang as a Society having lawful existence
in the Colony. The present head of the Kuomintang
in Hong Kong is Mr. Lee Tai Chiu and in his case it
appears that his appointment has been "noted" but not
"recognized". Mr. Lee Tai Chiu's appointment is
unfortunate as Mr. Megarry ascribes much of the
difficulty with the Kuomintang authorities to the
aggressive nature and ambitious self-importance of this
person. His relations with the Commissioner for
Chinese Affairs explained perhaps Mr. Kwok's sometimes
provocative utterances.
"
It is clear that the Kuomintang aim at permeating
the whole life of the Chinese community in Hong Kong.
Their activities embrace schools and education, control
of the venacular press, the control of trade unions,
the infiltration of cultural activities and the bringing
of as many societies and individuals as possible
within their fold. It is easy to see how this Party
control could undermine the authority of the British
administration but difficult to know what is the right
policy to maintain with a Society which (as Mr. Megarry
says) is a branch of the political party which at
present forms the central Government of China. The
only suggestion which Mr. Megarry makes is that the
present head of the Kuomintang in Hong Kong should be
replaced by a man who would be more accommodating
/and