109
109
[This telegram is of particular secrecy and should be
retained by the authorised recipient and not passed on]
Cypher/OTP
POLITICAL DISTRIBUTION
OFFICE
FROM NANKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Sir R. Stevenson
No. 1112
26th July, 1949
D: 12.27 p.m. 26th July, 1949 R: 1.50 p.m. 26th July, 1949
Repeated to: Canton, Singapore
Hong Kong Saving Washington Saving
PRIORITY
SECRET
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 1112 of July 26th, repeated for information to Singapore, Canton and saving to Hong Kong and Washington.
Canton telegram to. Singapore July 20th.
Communist authorities have since required closure of all British and American official information activities in occupied China on the grounds of the absence of diplomatic relations.
2. Nevertheless, as indicated in my telegram No.358, I do not (repeat not) advocate the use of Hong Kong radio for directing anti-Communist propaganda to China except under the most careful scrutiny regarding policy and material. The reason for such emphasis upon caution is of course the especially delicate political and geograp- hical position of Hong Kong as well as the presence in China of so many British subjects as potential hostages.
If
3. In the circumstances I do not (repeat not) regard with favour any suggestion for the unrestricted use of Hong Kong wireless by the United States information services, even in exchange for American assistance towards the strengthening of its power and range. I am, in fact, doubtful whether United States State Department would approve the proposal from the American representative at Canton that they should make such an approach to [gp.undec.] the United States Government do make such a request, however, I would suggest, subject to the views of the other authorities concerned, that the best answer would be to explain frankly the peculiar difficulties of Hong Kong in this respect (which I am confident they will readily appreciate) but at the same time to express willingness to co-operate as far as possible in work of such [gp. undec.? mutual concern in which connexion it might meet [gp. undec.]
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