CO129-611-2 Liaison with British Embassy and consulates in China- appointment of political advisor 1-9-1945 - 20-10-1947 — Page 137

6.

134

this purpose, and still more difficult for junior officers

to be spared for the protracted periods of study of the

Chinese language which were customary before the occupation

of Canton by the Japanese in 1938. I am hoping however to

be able to make appropriate arrangements before long, and it

will be a definite part of any scheme that can be brought

into operation that junior officers of the Hong Kong Cadet

Service shall be given opportunities to gain the experience

which will fit them for the duties in the Secretariat for

Chinese Affairs which have been discussed in this despatch.

My recommendations accordingly are

11.

12.

(a) that the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs be

asked if arrangements may be made for the secondment to

this Government for a period of three years of an officer

of the Foreign Service with experience of China to serve

in the Government of Hong Kong as a Political Adviser on

all questions relating to Chinese affairs external to

this Colony.

(6) that all possible steps be taken to prepare for the

work of such an officer to be taken over by an officer

of the Hong Kong Cadet Service at the end of the three

year period, or as much sooner as possible if a suitable

Foreign Service Officer cannot be made available, this

being, I fear, a not altogether improbable contingency.

(c) that in addition to the affording of experience to

selected officers of the Hong Kong Cadet Service for the

above purpose, other officers both of the Cadet Service

and of other departments shall be enabled and encouraged

so far as is possible to establish and maintain contacts

with Chinese as well as British officials in China,

particularly in Kwangtung.

I am sending copies of this despatch to His Majesty's