CO129-593-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45 12-1-1946 - 27-10-1946 — Page 234

JPY:

ONFIDENTIAL:

My dear Gent,

247

25th January, 1946.

The Old Glebe,

Eggesford,

Chulmleigh,

North Devon.

4

H

As promised, I posted a written note of what I said the morning after the HKUAC Meeting to Miss Ruston (Cox wanted it to be in Sir Humphrey Prideaux-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 on the subject would be opportune or advisable).

My own view is that the nettle must be grasped sooner or later and that present conditions are as opportune 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 millions) on a University scheme liable to be wrecked by Chinese hostility, We should find when Chinese co-operation might well be secured. out where we stand with them.

*

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

L

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.O. who was Chairman of the U.N.O. Preparatory 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 Wuchar 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 weturn 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).

1

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

(

As a matter of practical politics the Generalissimo and his Circle have decided to welcome the British back in Hong Kong though they may press for the return of the Leased Territories But any tendency to selfish exploitation of Hong Kong in the British interest would be bitterly resented and opposed - not only by the Chinese, but 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 would go back to restore Hong Kong in the spirit of the U.N.O. and the New Times. If so there would be co-operation and no serious opposition and the Chinese Cabinet realised the great practical advantages of British co-operation based on the occupation of. Hong Kong and their stake there.