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F4382/964

Aug. 7. 1947

American Opinion regarding Hong Kong.

1.

Americans who are familiar with Far Eastern

questions generally hold the view that Hong Kong and the

leased territories should be ceded to China soon after

reoccupation by United Nations forces. Most of them think

that His Majesty's Government should announce forthwith

their intention to return Hong Kong to China.

that, whatever may be the technical position of Hong Kong,

0

They argue

it is in fact analagous to the former Settlements or

Concessions in China which have been abolished with the

surrender of extraterritorial rights. They say that, if

Great Britain is earnest in her intentions to treat China

on a basis of full equality, it is incumbent upon her to

remove this grievance, both as a matter of justice and as

an essential step in improving Anglo-Chinese relations, which will be unsatisfactory as long as Hong Kong remains

in other than Chinese hands.

2.

Americans who have no special knowledge of the

Far East naturally know and care very little about Hong Kong,

and it cannot be said that there is at present any definite

public opinion on the matter. But if at any time the

question of the future of Hong Kong were raised in the

United States it is pretty certain that the American public, taking a sentimental view of China, and being generally critical of colonial rule, would side against Great Britain

and with China.

3.

Official opinion in the United States does not

necessarily coincide with public opinion in regard to the

future of Hong Kong. There is evidence that some officials

in /

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