§. §.
Orig. on 54145/18/47
EXTRACT FROM CONFIDENTIAL LETTER RECEIVED AT
CHATHAM HOUSE FROM CORRESPONDENT IN CHINA DATED 9th March, 1947.
54145/4/47
69.
I have heard little, and less that is authoritative, regarding the proposed municipal government in Hongkong. I have not visited Hongkong myself since my return and am therefore unable to write in regard to the impression which it has made there. In this part of China it has aroused no interest whatsoever. I had hoped from what I heard in London that the policy would be to reserve for the Colonial Government purely Home and Imperial affairs, giving as much autonomy as possible in regard to local matters. It does not appear however that much change has been effected in the general bureaucratic system. was speaking recently with one of the principal British merchants of Hongkong, who is also a member of the Legislative Council, and was somewhat surprised, and disappointed, to learn that he knew nothing whatsoever regarding the pending economic negotiations with China. This is far too reminiscent of the old days, when an important section of the Hongkong Government was entirely and deliberately uninterested in Chinese affairs, to appeal to me or others in China.
I
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.