CO129-592-8 Future Policy in Hong Kong 1-1-1945 - 26-11-1945 — Page 46

°F 7418/1147/60.

No.964 (44/342/45)

With the Compilments

The Under Secretary of State

145

Under St.

of State

L

Colonial Office 608

BRITISH EMBASSY,

CHUNGXING.

6th September, 1945.

#6

19 OCT 1945

85 on 14812/8/45.

for Foreign Affairs

Dear Department,

You may be interested in the two enclosed contributions from the Ta Kung Pao of August 28th and 30th on the subject of the Generalissimo's references to Hong Kong in his address to the joint session of the Supreme National Defence Council and the Central Executive Committee, the text of which was enclosed in our despatch No.927 of 27th August.

2.

The first item, a report from the Journal's London correspondent, Siao Chien, would like the reader to believe that the policy of retention of Hong Kong is not so popular in the United Kingdom. The anecdote which he relates in this context would, however, scarcely seem to prove his case,

3.

The Ta Kung Pao's own editorial smugly hails the gentlemanly attitude of the Chinese Government in not taking over Hong Kong (in disregard of existing treaties) and then proceeds to suggest that unless the British hurry up and give back Hong Kong and Kowloon to China there may be trouble. Hope is, however, expressed that the rendition of these two areas will be a principle of British foreign policy under the present government.

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There can be little doubt that despite those gestures of self-denial and respect for treaty obligations the question of

On Hong Kong will not be permitted to recede in the background. the contrary it is likely to be kept constantly before the public eye on this pseudo-moral plans. In this connection an opportune parallel is afforded by the press attack with regard to Macao reported in our despatch No. 972 of 10th September, 1945.

Yours ever,

CHANCERY.

Far Eastern Department,

Foreign Office,

London, SE1.