CO129-611-2 Liaison with British Embassy and consulates in China- appointment of political advisor 1-9-1945 - 20-10-1947 — Page 134

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3.

of the Colony generally.

4.

It is unfortunately true that, like other officers

of this Administration, the Secretary for Chinese Affairs has

in the past had little opportunity for periodical visits to

China or for coming into direct personal contact in China with

representative Chinese. For this the constantly disturbed state

of the neighbouring provinces since the revolution, the lack in

the past of speedy modern means of communication, and the constant

and growing pressure of work in Hong Kong are mainly responsible.

The Secretary for Chinese Affairs has had to rely for his informa-

tion as to the state of affairs in China on the despatches of His

Majesty's representatives in China, and on intelligence gathered

through Hong Kong sources, consisting mainly of the advice of

Hong Kong Chinese, who communicate to him what they themselves

learn, either from visits to China, or from visitors to Hong Kong

from China, or from correspondence with friends in China.

5.

Hence any measure which would assist the Hong Kong

Government to acquire a more full and exact knowledge of the

general trend of affairs in China, even if only for the purpose

of local Hong Kong administration, is to be welcomed. There is

moreover a new factor in the situation which renders this more

than ever desirable: the abolition of extraterritoriality and

the British concessions in China means that Hong Kong now

constitutes the nearest base for British trade with China, and

that the mercantile community, as they make Hong Kong more and

more their headquarters for operations in China, look in an

increasing degree to the British authorities here to support

their case vis a vis the Chinese authorities, and to take over

some part of the duties, which in the past devolved almost solely

on His Majesty's diplomatic and consular officials in China, in

regard to the promotion of British trade.

6.

I think therefore that it must be accepted that a more

positive approach to affairs in China is now called for on the