Cypher/OTP
No. 545
DEPARTMENTAL NO.1.
FROM NANKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Sir R. Stevenson
May 29th, 1947.
22
D. 5.20 p.m. May 29th, 1947. R.10.00 p.m. May 29th, 1947.
SSSSS
54395
Your telegram No. 589.
Secret.
Kuomintang activities in Hong Kong.
I agree with the views in Hong Kong despatch referred to particularly the last six paragraphs.
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2. The Chinese Government being no longer a single party Government of Kuomintang, the representa- tives of that party in Hong Kong have loss claim than ever for official recognition and the Chinose Govern- ment should have no proper cause for complaint if individual members were expelled for activities detrimental to local law and order, having similar provision themselves, see Article 8 of enclosure to my despatch No. 195.
3. At the same time the banning of the Kuomintang office at Hong Kong would be a drastic step and might be difficult to justify and should not be considered except as the last resort. We cannot object in principle to political party organisations being set up in Hong Kong provided they behave themselves and moreover any action against the Kuomintang as such would expose the Hong Kong Government to embarrassing retaliatory demands from the Chinese Government with regard to the continuel residence in the colony of General Li, see Hong Kong telegram No. 74 to me repeated to Secretary of State for the Colonies in 2 reply to my telegram No. 137 repeated to you No. 477.
4. The question of Chinese Government representa- tive at Hong Kong can no longer be linked up with local Kuomintang activities.
5. Despatch follows.