CO129-592-8 Future Policy in Hong Kong 1-1-1945 - 26-11-1945 — Page 41

5/27/11

HI

ALTERNATIVE DRAFT FOR PARAGRAPH 10 OF THE FAR EASTERN

PLANNING UNIT PAPER ON "THE STATUS OF HONG KONG" AT 57

ON 55063/6(1)

64 on the

(ewelosuo to 64

10. In support of the contention that Britain should

make no concessions in this matter it may be said that the

problem of Hong Kong must be considered against the

background of China's policy of nationalism and racial

expansion throughout Asia. It is probable that any

concession in Hong Kong would be unlikely to "appease"

Chinese imperialism and might well be regarded as

evidence of weakness. If so the concession would be

followed in due course by renewed agitation for the

retrocession of the whole of Hong Kong. Moreover it is

arguable that any concession in Hong Kong would

stimulate agitation in regard to Chinese claims and

ambitions in South East Asia and in particular to her

efforts to organize politically the Chinese communities in

such countries as Malaya. No matter what internal

weakness and division may prevail in China it must be

expected that the Chinese will neglect no means to

further their aims of "peaceful penetration" in these

territories.

Any concession is likely to diminish the value of

the port of Hong Kong which provides the only modern

shipbuilding and repair facilities between Japan and

Singapore.

Future conditions in the former treaty ports

in China cannot as yet be predicted and the surrender

of extraterritorial rights in these cities emphasizes the

need for an area where law and stability can be assured

under British rule. In this connection the interests of

the Dominions should not be overlooked since it seems

probable that Australia, New Zealand and Canada may

develop large scale trade with China. Not only the

Dominions but foreign powers also might well support a

/refusal