CO129-562-20 Whompoa Port- development 19-2-1937 - 4-4-1938 — Page 31

- 2 -

32

concerned we had a Commercial Secretary in Hong Kong and a

Consul-General in Canton who were always available to meet

Chinese representatives and discuss schemes of mutual advan-

tage. So much for official liaison. On the unofficial side

he said he understood that this question had been under con-

sideration in Hong Kong, and he asked Mr. Pelham to explain

the position. Mr. Pelham said the idea was to form a Sino-

British Trade Council consisting of representatives of the

Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce, the Kwangtung Provincial

Chamber of Commerce and the Canton British Chamber of

Commerce. The Ambassador said that such a Council, with

perhaps Mr. Blunt and Mr. Pelham as additional members,

would produce the best liaison which was possible.

Colonel Li did not greet this proposal with much

enthusiasm but said it was a pity there was not someone

like Mr. Pelham available in Canton to whom the Chinese

could go at any time, as they had gone to Mr. Phillips.

The Ambassador said that as soon as Mr. Blunt had settled

into his new post and they had got to know him they could

go to him just as they had to Mr. Phillips, and Mr. Pelham added that he himself was ready at any time to meet Chinese

representatives and talk over any matters. Colonel Li

doubted whether either Mr. Blunt or Mr. Pelham had suffi-

cient technical knowledge to discuss certain matters. The Ambassador replied that obviously they were not experts on all matters but that if the Chinese required expert advice

they could probably get it. The provision of expert opinions was more a matter for the individual firms concern-

ed in any particular case.

/ Colonel