CO129-540-13 Proposal by Chinese Government to establish vice-consulate in Hong Kong 6-6-1932 - 30-12-1932 — Page 66

COPY

(F 7494/5423/10)

despalch

Extract from letter from British Legation,

Bangkok No. 191 (150/56/32) of the 16th

September, 1932.

67

4

In view of the regulations issued by the Nanking

Government requiring that invoices of exports to China

should be endorsed by a Chinese consular authority, and of

recent press reports regarding the proposed visits to

Bangkok of various Chinese officials to discuss the question

with the Siamese Government, I enquired to-day of the

Minister for Foreign Affairs whether any negotiations

direct or indirect were taking place.

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2. His Excellency informed me that the Chinese Government

had expressed a wish - presumably through the Siamese

Legation in Tokyo

Siam who, in the absence of Chinese consular officers,

would be authorised to endorse invoices. To this request

the Siamese Government had replied that as long as it was

clearly understood that the Trade Commissioner should con-

fine himself to endorsing invoices of exports to China and

that he had no diplomatic or consular status they had no

objection. After some delay the Chinese Government stated

that instead of sending a Trade Commissioner they proposed

to send a commercial attaché, but the Siamese Government

have refused this suggestion. I understand that there the

matter stands. It has its importance because although most

of the Siamese exports to China are sent to Hongkong a

certain quantity go direct to Swatow and other Chinese ports.

to appoint a Trade Commissioner for