CO537-(1262-1649) — Page 626

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Ref.:

CO 537/1427

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

2

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

00115

Cms

Ref.:

CO 537/1427

restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leallet. 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 copynght

RECEIVED

27 AUG1946

COL. OFFICE

(F11428/113/10). Confidential.

Notlard

Dear Vile,

22923/15/46 76

FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.1.

26th August, 1946.

•(59)

I have received a copy of your letter to Jones, of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, No. 22923/15/46_ of the 3rd August, about the provision of an airfield in the New Territories.

While normally we should have been inclined to avoid consulting the Chinese about any project of this sort, as encouraging them to feel that they had some sort of claim to the New Territories, the position as regards the Chinese attitude towards Hong Kong has recently been materially changed by the Chinese approaches referred to in Dening's secret letter to Lloyd (F 11167/113/G) of the 12th August, in which Chiang Kai-shek and Dr. Wellington Koo enquired informally whether conversations could be opened between our two Governments with a view to reaching a solution of the Hong Kong problem.

We hope shortly to consider, in consultation with the Colonial Office, the situation arising out of these approaches; but in the meantime I hope that the delicacy of the position created by this move will be borne in mind, and that we can be kept informed of the discussions regarding the airfield project, in view of possible Chinese reactions should it materialise.

I am copying this letter to Jones.

R.J. Vile, Esq.,

Yours sincere

lav. Kitam

Colonial office.

(G.V. Fitson)

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