TRACT FROM PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON THURSDAY, 9TH DECEMBER, 1948.
Volume 459
No. 33
158)
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THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (MR. ERNEST BEVIN) :
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..that is the question of China. This unfortunate country has been striken now for over 40 years with revolution, war and civil war. Communist armies have obtained control over a vast area of Northern China and are now threatening Nanking. No one can forecast at present where these armies will be halted, or how far their influence will extend.
I ought to make clear what our attitude to China has been. It has been governed by the Moscow Declaration of December, 1945, in which the United Kingdom, the United States and the Soviet Union declared a policy of non-intervention in the internal affairs of China. His Majesty's Government have consistently followed a policy in accordance with that understanding. Inevitably, as a result of the war-time strategy of the Allies and post-war circumstances, the United States Government have been more directly concerned with assistance to China than this country. We have explained to the Chinese Government, whose position we understand, that our financial and economic position precluded us from doing anything very material for China. However, in view of the tremendous upheaval of
this civil war we cannot be indifferent to the fate of either our national or our extensive trading interests in China. I can assure the House that we are watching the matter very carefully, and it is our earnest hope that both parties in the conflict will respect British lives and property.
Meanwhile, His Majesty's Embassy at Nanking and the consulates in China are remaining at their posts and carrying out their tasks. Some weeks ago we suggested that British subjects who had no particular purpose for remaining in the area of conflict should consider the advisability of leaving, and some of them have taken this advice; but, in general, it appears that British subjects who have business interests in China are remaining at their posts. I am sure the House will join with me in paying tribute to the steadfast manner in which the British communities in China, together with our diplomatic and consular staffs, are facing the difficult
situation which is now confronting them.
No one can foresee what the outcome of the present world struggle will be, but it must be the hope of the whole world that peace may soon be restored and the patient, long-suffering Chinese people, who are the victims of all these conflicts, may at last have the opportunity of restoring their shattered economy and be free from the ravages of civil and external wars (HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."). I am glad to hear those "Hear, hears," I hope they will be passed on to the right quarter and that this will assist in stopping this conflict. As far as His Majesty's Government are concerned, if peace is restored and reconstruction is initiated, we shall do our best to assist in whatever way we can.
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MR. FLETCHER:
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How are we to achieve that? First of all, there is one clear way. We must establish our sheet anchor in the Far East absolutely firmly, and that is in Hong Kong; that is, we must see to the safety of Hong Kong and
it must be absolutely certain and sure, and clear to the eyes of everybody in the Far East that Hong Kong will stay in its present form as a British Colony. Reinforcement, both military and in other forms, is absolutely essential. If there is any proof of the need of it I have only to point the fact that over two million Chinese have come from the mainland to Hor Kong. They, at least, appreciate what British rule in Hong Kong means,
KHAIRAVESTA, MARIESTAAN NA PAPRASTAS UN IET
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