inin
3661 NOW
OUTWARD TELEGRAM
૪. 8 lip
WF 7/22
CYPHER (0.T.P.)
FROM: D.O.
TO:
CANADA
(GOVT.)
tt
AUSTRALIA
NEW ZEALAND
**
SOUTH AFRICA
#1
S.D.
(Sent 10.25 p.m. 16th Nov., 1942)
D. No. 463. SECRET
42 My telegram D. No. 434 of
territoriality.
1.
26th October Chinese extra-
United Kingdom draft treaty was handed to Chinese Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs in Chungking on 30th October. Vice-Minister said that the Chinese Government, while they might have some amendments to suggest, highly appreciated the spirit of the British and American proposals.
2-
On
13th November Minister for Foreign Affairs handed Ambassador a Chinese counter draft. Principal points of difference from United Kingdom draft are as follows:-
His Majesty'
(a) A new article providing that relations between China and United Kingdom etc. shall be based on principle of equality and reciprocity.
(b) Addition to article regarding rendition of concessions of a clause providing for the termination of the Kowloon lease convention 1898.
(c) Additional exchange of notes providing for inclusion in abrogation of extra-territorial and related rights of further unequal treaty rights including coast trade and inland navigation.
3. His Majesty's Ambassador deprecated inclusion of (b) and (c) in present negotiations and has pointed out that Chinese proposals greatly exceed our original offer. He reports however that Chinese Government are evidently determined to abolish all rights conferred by "unequal" treaties.
*
As regards questions of inland navigation and coastal trade, (c) above, views of United Kingdom Government, which have been communicated to United States Government, are as follows: These questions are not expressly covered in the draft treaty presented to the Chinese nor would Article 2 specifically abrogate any treaty rights under which British ships have hitherto been permitted to engage in inland navigation and coastal trade, Moreover, United Kingdom Government would be very reluctant to include in the present treaty any restrictive provisions regarding shipping which may not be strictly necessary. They would wish instead to discuss these questions at a later stage with a view to arriving at some mutual arrangement in the course of negotiations for a comprehensive treaty of commerce and navigation such as Article 8 of our draft foresees, Meanwhile they would be prepared to tell the Chinese Government that while they have no wish to retain the unilateral treaty rights they at present possess, they hope that pending the negotiations for a comprehensive treaty the Chinese Government will not prohibit British shipping from
engaging/
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