OUTWARD TELEGRAM.
FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES.
(веру
54472/49)
53
96038/1(15)/49
Cypher (0.7.P.)
IMMEDIATE
TO HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham)
Sent 17th December, 1949. 01.00 hrs.
No.1844 TOP SECRET.
Addressed to Governor Hong Kong,
Repeated to Commissioner General, South East
Asia, No.687.
Question of publicity line to be taken on recognition of Chinese Communist regime has been under urgent consideration here, and, in case of Malaya, directive has now been agreed. My telegram to
Coemissioner General No.686, repeated to you as No.1843 refers.
2.
Though much of this directive is only applicable to Malaya, paragraphs 2 to 4 are of equal application in Hong Kong also.
3.
I have noted conclusion of Singapore Conference (Commissioner General's telegram to Foreign Office No.919 of 4th November, repeated to you) that Hong Kong should not take any active part in extensive propaganda campaign, and this is, no doubt, related to your anxiety that your own P.R.O. organisation should be kept out of such activities.
La
Final decision has not, I regret, been reached here on question of appointment of Regional Office representative to Hong Kong, but I hope to telegraph further shortly about this. In the meantime, I agree with wording suggested in your savingram No.164 to Commissioner General for directive for such representative.
5
I should be very grateful for your views by telegram as early as possible on publicity line you would propose to take on question of recognition, as decisions on recognition may be taken at very short notice nov. Please repeat your reply to Commissioner General,
6.
You will, of course, be informed as early as possible when date of recognition has been decided.
Distributed to:
R. 453
-
Secretary of State
P.S. to Minister of State Sir T. Lloyd
Mr. Rees-Williams Sir C, Jeffries Bir H. Poynton
Foreign Office
Mr. Holding Mr. Paskin
Mr. Sidebotham
HP.
Hell Radford Blackburne
- Mr. R. Murray.
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