CO129-588-23 China- British extra-territorial rights- negotiations with China 28-3-1942 - 27-11-1942 — Page 165

5463

FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.1.

31st October, 1942.

کها

IMMEDIATE.

F 7369/828/10

Dear Monson,

With reference to Chungking telegram No. 1466 of the 26th October, I enclose herein the draft of a letter to the United States Ambassador containing suggestions as to how the future rights of British subjects to acquire real property might be secured in the present negotiations.

So far as the United Kingdom is concerned, we believe that we can give assurances that Chinese nationals are free to acquire any kind of right in real property on the same conditions as British subjects. Chinese companies, that is to say companies incorporated under Chinese law, can also acquire leasehold rights in real property under the same conditions as British companies. In order to acquire freehold rights Chinese companies require a licence in mortmain, but in the ordinary way applications would not be refused. A company incorporated under the Companies Acts of the United Kingdom does not require a licence in mortmain to acquire freeholds, however great the Chinese shareholding in the company.

I should be glad to know whether you concur in the draft letter to the United States Ambassador and whether, so far as the Colonies are concerned it will be possible to grant the Chinese reciprocity in this matter.

W.BL.Monson, Esq., Colonial Office.

Yours sincerely,

folly Clarke;