CO129-540-13 Proposal by Chinese Government to establish vice-consulate in Hong Kong 6-6-1932 - 30-12-1932 — Page 112

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over Canton gun boats (see telegrams anding with my No. 168 Secret) is a good example of how difficulty of Hong Kong will be intensified

if there is a nominee of Nanking here as Consul. I also invite

reference to trouble over appointment of Superintendent of Chinese

14 on 62882/29 Telegraph Office see enclosure in Clementi's Secret dospatch ́ 18th

November 1929 and connected correspor dence. This is recurring

source of acute difficulty and similer difficulty may be expected on

a greater scale in connection with appointment of Consul. These

are practical difficulties of which we have unpleasant experience

and must continue as long as Nanking fails to have effective control

of Canton-

Matter was discussed in Executive Council yesterday and

I was advised by Chinese member that Chinese population in Hong Kong

non-Eritish as well as British born, is definitely opposed to

appointment of Chinese Consul here although probably none would be

bold enough to admit this openly.

Even if Bis Majesty's Government feel unable to oppose..

Chinese Vice Consul at Hong Kong on ore general grounds set out in Clementi's despatches I strongly urge that it may be opposed on grounde

of peculiar position of Hong Kong vis a vis Canton until such time

as central Government is in effective control of Canton and until we

can be satisfied that Consular representative of Nanking in Hong Kong

will not embarrass good relations of Hong Kong and Canton, and I

recommend that reply to enquest for Vice Consul at Hong Kong be a

refusal on above grounds.