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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT

F7022

The circulation of this paper has been strictly limited. It is issued for the personal use of...'s Foreign Affa

TOP SECRET

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Copy No.

138

J.P. (45) 220 (Final)

11TH SEPTEMBER, 1945.

Circulated for a constamation of the Chiefs of Suur

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE

JOINT PLANNING STAFF

BRITISH REPRESENTATION AT MAIN CHINESE PORTS

Report by the Joint Planning Staff.

In anticipation of instructions, we have examined the question of ports in China to which British forces might be sent to represent our interests. We have confined our examination to ports in China proper and have not considered Manchuria.

Present Position

2.

We have given up all special rights in connection with the treaty ports and we, therefore, have no right to intervene with armed forces in support of our interes ts which it is the responsibility of the Chinese Government to protect.

We have informed the United States Chiefs of Staff that our intention is to provide forces to accompany or follar U.S. forces entering Chinese ports in order that British interests should be represented and that we have no intention of sending our forces unilaterally. We have also informed the Chinese that there is no question of our sending ships into Chinese ports except as part of an Anglo- American force.

It is understood that the Americans are sending forces to some Chinese ports including Shanghai, in order to facilitate the supply of their own forces and those of the Central Government, operating in China. By accompany- ing American forces taking part in such operations to ports in which we have special interest, we should be able to safeguard our interests with the minimum effect on our relations with the Chinese.

3.

The present situation with regard to the Central Government forces is uncertain.

There is a possibility that, owing to the lack of good communications, the existence of rival factions and the Central Government's shortage of well trained troops, there may be fighting and looting in some areas.

c.o.S.() 66,

Telogram No.5365 to Chungking

from General Carton de Wiart.

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