03 57
Cypher/OTP
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
FROM TAMSUI TO FOREIGN OFFICE
His Majesty's Consul No. 257
24th December, 1949.
Repeated to Nanking,
CONFIDENTIAL
Hong Kong.
D. 7.25 a.m. 26th December, 1949. R. 8.34 a.m. 26th December, 1949.
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 257 of December 24th, repeated for information to Nanking and Hong Kong.
My telegram No. 209. Immigration Officer arrived 3
¿( 3 )
December 22nd
He states that he has been instructed to refer all applications by government officials as their presence is embarrassing on account of possible objections from the large Communist element in the colony and the danger that many may flee to Hong Kong if Formosa falls to the Communists.
3. I have requested that he defer such action until I have referred to you as it would appear contrary to normal diplomatio courtesy and would no doubt give rise to reprisals.
4. Method of introduction of visa system has caused sufficient bad feeling and I am against the introduction now of this restriction on bona fide government officials particularly provincial government unless really essential (party controls Legislative Yuan and assembly members may be a different matter). Restriction of visas to one month's validity or less and the introduction of reference if and when the fall of Formosa appears imminent would suffice in my opinion.
5.
In this connexion I should be grateful for confirmation that after recognition all officials of Nationalist as opposed to provincial governments are to be treated as private individuals whose applications may be referred at the discretion of Hong Kong immigration officer here. ·
Foreign Office pass to Hong Kong as my telegram No. 113.
[Copy sent to Telegraph Section Colonial Office for
repetition to Hong Kong],
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