CO129-619-1 Parliamentary delegation to China 1-9-1947 - 23-12-1947 — Page 119

NNEX D.

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SINO-SOVIET NEGOTIATIONS ON PORT ARTHUR & DAIREN.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued on 25th June the following communique on the negotiations with the U.S.S.R. concerning the take-over of Port Arthur and Dairen:

1. "Immediately upon the surrender of Japan, the Chinese Government in preparation for the take-over of the Northeastern provinces, decided to dispatch troops to Dairen to re-establish Chinese administration in Port Arthur and Dairen. This was, however, strongly opposed by the Soviet Government on the ground that Dairen was to be made a free port. The Chinese Government was thus prevented from realising the first step towards the take-over of the administration of Port Arthur and Dairen in accordance with the Sino-Soviet Treaty of August, 1945.

"It will be recalled that the declaration of Dairen as a free port under the Treaty signifies that commodities in transit through that port should be exempt from duty and has no bearing whatever on the question of the stationing of Chinese troops in that port. That the administration in Dairen should belong to China is explicitly provided in the Treaty. The Treaty in no way restricts the right of the Chinese Government to send troops to Dairen. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs therefore took serious exception to the aforementioned view of the Soviet Republic.

2. "Owing to the obstacles thus interposed by the Soviet Government Chinese troops could not be sent to Dairon in October, 1945, and the Chinese Government was unable to proceed with the take-over of the administration of Port Arthur and Dairen. Since that date the Chinese Communists have rapidly built up an armed force in the civinity of Port Arthur and Dairen.

"The existence and expansion of this anti-Government force has constituted a strong impcdiment to the take-over of Port Arthur and Dairen by the Chinese Government from the mainland.

3. "In March this year, the Soviet Government expressed to the Chinese Government the hope that the Chinese Government might set up its administrative authority in Port Arthur and Dairen. The Chinese Government in reply again made it clear that it was because of the above-mentioned obstacles that the Chinese Government had not. been able to take over the administration of Port Arthur and Dairen.

4. "During the last three months, the Chinese Government has repeatedly taken up this matter with the Soviet Government. It was stated by the Soviet Government that no anti-Chinese Government forces existed in the entire region of Dairen and the Port Arthur naval base; that the Soviet Government would ensure the safety of the personnel sent to Dairen and Port Arthur by the Chinese Government as well as liberty of action in the discharge of their duties; and that questions as to the number of police to be sent by the Chinese Government to Port Arthur and the places where they were to be quartered should be discussed and decided on the spot by the Soviet and Chinese officials.

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