CO129-593-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45 12-1-1946 - 27-10-1946 — Page 231

CNFIDENTIAL:

My dear gent,

25th January, 1946.

The Old Glebe,

Eggesford,

Chulmleigh,

North Devon.

344

As promised, I posted a written note of what I said the morning after the HUAC Meeting to Miss Ruston (Oox wanted it to be in 8ir Humphre rideaux-Burnes' hands before the next Meeting, as he seemed to adopt the usual non possumus attitude, maintaining that Chinese views on Hong Kong were hardening and that no

informal or diplomatic approach the subject would be opportun or advisable).

My own view is that the nettle must be graphed sooner. later and that present conditions are as opportuar as they are likely to be. At any rate, I do not feel inclined to advise that His Majesty's Government should spend huge sums (maybe (maXtors) on a University scheme liable to be wrecked by Chinese hoftility, when Chinese co-operation might well be secured. We should find out where we stand with them.

That

Chinese views (in political and Press circles) on Hong Kong may well be hardening, as the Foreign Office say. is to be expected from Easterners who realise that the time is ripe for a bargain. They are running to form.

My own information, such as it is worth, is very differe I think it is worth something. I have a Chinese friend, Mr. P.C. Kuo, of U.N.0. who was Chairman of the U.N.0. Preparat Section on Trusteeship, who incidentally tells me that he has worked with Mr. Creech-Jones, whom he likes and respects. I befriended P.C. Kuo considerably at Hankow in circumstances which strongly influenced his career (he was then a Professor at Wuchapt University). He has always been frank to me and is a really clos friend and one of the most intelligent men I know. I have much respect for his opinions. He visited me here before I joined the HKUAC and I have since (before our Committee) had a general talk with him on our position in China and Hong Kong as an old China friend holding no official position (he was urging me to return to China, and I took the position that so long as the Chinese adopted what I considered was a hostile and ungrateful attitude I saw no attraction in residence in China or Hong Kong. This led to frank talk and the expression of personal views committing no-one, but nevertheless honest and interesting).

2

Kuo knows all the leaders in Chungking and is on intimate terms with K.O. Wu, Hu Shih, Yang Shih-chieh, Han Li-wu, to my certain knowledge. Shortly his views are:-

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As a matter of practical politics the Generalissimo a his Circle have decided to welcome the British back in Hong Kong, though they may press for the retum of the Leased Territories. But any tendenay to selfiah exploitation of Hong Kong in the British interest would be bitterly resented and opposed not only by the Chinese, bak by the Americans and all the other nations who are intensely interested in Hong Kong as an international port and Emporium of international trade. It was assumed that the British nk to restore Hong Kong in the spirit of the U.N.O. and

If so there would be co-operation and no serious Chinese Cabinet realised the great practical

·k co-operation based on the occupation of

would gr

the

there.