CAB129-35 — Page 83

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THIS DOCUME884f3OPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJE Page 840f1366MENT

SECRET

C. P. (49) 119

24TII MAY, 1949

CABINET

31

COPY NO.

HONG KONG

Memorandum by the Prime Minister

On 5th May the Cabinet authorised the despatch to Hong Kong of reinforcements sufficient to secure the Colony against internal unrest or sporadic attacks by guerillas. They were, however, unwilling that this decision should be announced in terms implying a long-term policy of maintaining Hong Kong as a British Colony. This unwillingness was based partly on military advice that Hong Kong could not be success- fully defended against a full-scale attack by a first-class Power, and partly on the knowledge that public opinion in other countries (including some of the Commonwealth countries) would be unfavourably impressed by any declaration of our intention to hold Hong Kong indefinitely as a Colonial possession (C. M. (49) 32nd Conclusions, Minute 2).

The decision to send these reinforcements was announced by the Minister of Defence, in debate in the House of Commons on 5th May, in the following terms:-

"While, as I have made clear, we have

scrupulously endeavoured to avoid being involved in the war on the Chinese mainland, we are no less resolute in our attitude as regards territory for which we hold a direct responsibility. Hong Kong is long had a tradition of neutrality and non-interference in the politics of China, and supporters of the Kuomintang regime and the Communists alike have enjoyed the benefits which have thus been provided, subject to their obeying the law and doing nothing to damage relations between His Majesty's Government and the Government of China. His Majesty's Government have consistently maintained a policy of strict non-interference in the civil war in China, and, in pursuance of this policy, a very vigilant watch is being kept in Hong Kong, and steps have been, and are being, taken to deal with any breach of the conditions under which Chinese nationals, whether Kuomintang or Communist, are allowed to reside there and with disturbance of the peace, however caused. It would not be in the public interest to give details at this stage. ".

"His Majesty's Government have decided to take further measures for the protection of Hong Kong.

It should be clearly understood that in reaching this decision His Majesty's Government have been moved solely by the desire and determination to prevent the present unsettled conditions in China from endangering the welfare and safety of the people of Hong Kong, or hampering the peaceful pursuit of legitimate trade through Hong Kong with China, Towards this end, substantial reinforce- ments to the garrison are accordingly being sent and will include elements of all arms land, sea and air, Page 84 of 366