CO129-588-23 China- British extra-territorial rights- negotiations with China 28-3-1942 - 27-11-1942 — Page 245

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F12044/828/10. 55104/42

(Pat war

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22 OCT 1942 22

Policy of Fif.) 2.0. REGY

C.Q.

7日

Colonial Office: 17A

Mr Gent)

242

MOST SECRET.

[This telegram is of particular secrecy and should be retained by the authorised recipient and not passed on]

[CYPHER]

WAR CABINET DISTRIBUTION

FROM: CHINA

FROM CHUNGKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

D. Ra

10.00a.m. 16th October, 1942.

9.05 p..

17th October, 1942.

Sir H. Seymour

No. 1429

16th October, 1942.

0 0 0 0

alreed

Your telegram No. 1325.

My United States colleague has communicated to me paraphrase summary of American draft as sent him from Washington. I presume that this is sufficient at present stage and that the text of our draft will be telegraphed from London when decided

on.

2. Well timed announcement of October 10th was very favourably received here and statements issued by prominent Chinese from Chiang Kai-shek down and comments in the Chinese press have expressed warm appreciation. It is however undesirable that there should be any prolonged delay for further clarification of the position. The Chinese Government and the public have been informed that it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to offer the Chinese Government draft treaty providing for immediate extinguishment of extra-territorial rights and settlement of questions intimately connected therewith. There is bound to be lively discussion about the scope of the latter which have not yet been defined vis-à-vis the Chinese as covering recent cancellation of 1901 protocol and rendition of settlements and concessions.

3. In these circumstances the Chinese are likely to assume that the abrogation of the whole body of [group undec:] treaties is in contemplation including rendition of leased territories (i.e. in our case Kowloon) and possibly also retrocession of Hong Kong.

•

4. Question of Hong Kong was covered by reply to Parliamentary question of October 14th which was telegraphed out here by news agencies but which was so worded as to imply that proposals relate only to surrender of extra territorial [?group Omitted ?rights]. It would be very unfortunate if we should appear to be toning down our gesture and you may consider it desirable to let the public know immediately that rendition of settlements and concessions is included in our offer and that abrogation of the rest of the [group deg. treaties will follow with the least possible lelay.

5. /