CO537-2187 — Page 75

No. 7/1162/46.

SECRET

C.

13:

COLONIAL SECRETARIAT,

LOWER ALBERT ROAD,

HONG KONG,

7th October, 1947.

4.4

(126)

my dear Mayk,

In MacDougall's absence on short local leave it falls to me to reply to your demi-official letter No.54145/47 of 15th September, 1947, on the subject of Kitson's letter of 17th July, 1947.

Our views here on the question of consultation with the Portuguese about Hong Kong and Macao coincide with those expressed in your letter. They reflect the policy consistently pursued by this Administration since September, 1945. The post-war attitude of Macao as personified in private approaches by its Governor was to insinuate that Hong Kong and Macao stood or fell together: he was, I understand, firmly but politely discouraged in this, and the policy of keeping our distance is being maintained even to the extent of avoiding as far as possible any appearance of being linked with Macao on any issue affecting China.

Yours sincerely,

Перетр

N. L. Mayle, Esq.,

Colonial Office,

Downing Street,

LONDON, S.W.1.

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