CO537-5000 — Page 75

Cypher/OTP

DIPLOMATIC DISTRIBUTION

172

FROM NANKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Sir R. Stevenson

No. 1333

25th August, 1949

Repeated to: Singapore,

D: 10.33.a.m. 25th August, 1949 R: 1.20.p.m. 25th August, 1949

PRIORITY

CONFIDENTIAL

LIGHT

Shanghai Hong Kong.

•

170

171

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 1333, of 25th August, repeated for information to Singapore, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Shanghai telegram No. 406 to me, paragraph (not repeated to Hong Kong).

As you will have seen from my telegram No. 518 to Shanghai (not repeated to Hong Kong) I have maintained categorically that there has been no (repeat no) change in the policy of His Majesty's Government regarding Hong Kong, and that it remains as stated by the Minister of Defence in the House of Commons on June 22nd.

2. Nevertheless, I am not (repeat not) surprised that the impression has been gained by the British community in Shanghai that His Majesty's Government are resigned to a clash with the Communists over Hong Kong. What seems here to be undue publicity has been given to warlike preparations on foot in the Colony, and to the number and variety of the reinforcements. All this, as we know, has been carefully noted by the Communists and it is adding a good deal to the disquiet of British Communities in China.

3. Unless there are overriding reasons for continuing this publicity of which I am not aware I would be most grateful for anything that can be done, e.g., with the B.B.C. and Reuters to restrict it.

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