FO371-46253 — Page 6

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(= 5699/1147/10)

FOREIGN OFFICE, 3. 7.1.

11th September, 1945.

OUT F’LE

7

Dear Welch,

$

Thank you for your letter C.. . 1065/45 of the 3rd August about the proposed goodwill mission of industrialists to China.

Much has happened since cong stated that he vas ready to welcome a British trade mission in September or October (as reported in Chungking telegram No. 799, of which a copy was sent to Board of Trade under Foreign Office reference F 4888/1644/10 of the 10th August). It would appear now that October will probably be too early. The Chinese Government will be installing themselves in Nanking and busy with the many problems attendant on re-organisation.

a you perhaps know, 3oorg is due here shortly

for two or three days, Siggest that in the changed circumstances the first step should be to sound Soong himself as to aj the acceptability of the mission to the Chinese Government (b) the timing of its arrival.

Incidentally, there is climatically no reason why the mission should not visit Chins in winter.

I am sending copies of this letter to Norman Young and Lyal.

Yours sincerely,

(d) J. C. STERNDALE BENNETT

(J.C. Sterndale Bennett)

A.F. Welch, Esq.,

Board of Trade.

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