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Includes: The Crisis in China. Civil war between the government and the communists. Abandonment of guerrilla tactics for positional warfare. Capture of Peking [Beijing] and Teintsin [Tianjin] in January and Chiang resigns as President, giving place to Li Tsung-jen who initiates preliminary peace negotiations. Reasons for popular support for the communists, probability of success in attempts to impose communism on China. Chinese Currency. Exchange Surrender Certificates, obtained against exports, saleable at a premium established by market demand to would-be importers. This rate rose from one million to over seven million to the US in three months with the 'Black market rate' rising to ten to fourteen million. Introduction of the Gold Yuan at GY12=?1 and CN3 million. Further devalued to GY66=?1 at year end and to GY13, 200 by March 1949. Decision to allow free market in gold and silver. Proposed Sino-British Treaty. No progress in negotiations. Sino-British Customs Agreement. The agreement signed in January 1948 in amended by mutual agreement. Shanghai Municipal Council Employees. Prolonged negotiations with HM G. Shanghai Municipal Debts. Objection to Chinese proposal for repayment on a dollar for dollar basis. War Losses. Further notifications to Claims Dept., Foreign Office. British Properties in China. Possession recovered in nearly all cases. Canton [Guangzhou] Riots. China tries to offset claims for damage in Canton [Guangzhou] against those arising from the eviction of squatters from Kowloon Walled City. China's Internal Debts. Method adopted by the Chinese government for the redemption of old domestic loans described, suggesting that a similar scheme may be adopted for external obligations. Chinese Government Laws and Regulations. Further translations received. Rehabilitation of Internees. Assistance continues from the China Association Relief Fund.* F.B.I. Scheme for training Chinese Engineering Graduates. Report on the years working. Hongkong, Revision of Constitution. Implementation delayed. Hongkong War Damage Claims. Hongkong Government recommends that no compensation for war damage be paid from public funds. In return, HM G. makes grants towards various projects and seeks no contribution towards cost of Military Administration. Hongkong Crown Leases. Conditions for new grants declared.* Hongkong Airport. Grant of ?3,000,000 from HM G. but work not yet started. British Industries Fair. Hongkong takes part for the first time. Air Piracy. First air piracy on a Cathay Pacific Airways flying boat between Hongkong and Macao. Import Licence for the Far Eastern Economic Review. Representations to the Board of Tarde. British Information in the Far East Arrangements made for the import and distribution of British periodicals to Hongkong and Japan. Japanese War Criminals. Release from custody in Hongkong of Japanese war criminals responsible for ill treatment of British prisoners in Bridge House, Shanghai. Subsequent re-arrest and imprisonment. Formation of Japan Branch of the China Association. Japan Branch of the China Association formed in Japan to conform to SCAP regulations. At the same time, the Japan Commercial Council of the Association was formed in London to work with it. Taxation in Japan. The Association makes representations to the Foreign Office on this subject. Trade with Japan. Improvement of conditions for trade with and in Japan. Sterling Area Trade Agreement, freedom for negotiation of sales and purchases, restoration of industrial properties, homes, business premises. Japanese Politics. Yoshida becomes Prime Minister. Increase in communist seats in the Diet. Polarisation of political parties, both opposed to the Occupation Authorities. China Association Reception. The first post-war reception for members. Chronological Summary for the period 1st April 1948 to 23rd March 1949. Chiang Kai-shek resumes the Presidency, Wong Wen Hao as Prime Minister. Chiang resigns again. Appendix. Crown Leases in Hongkong. Hongkong Government statement.
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