811.7493 Amateur/3: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 23—7:15 a.m.]
54. Department’s 3, January 5, 6 p.m.14 Counselor of Legation at Nanking15 was directed to sound out Chinese authorities. An official of the Ministry of Communications stated that officially there are no amateur radio operators in China although some amateurs have availed themselves of the protection of extraterritorial privileges or the protection of a foreign concession in utter disregard of the prohibition of the National Government against amateur radio operators.
In answer to a query he said that China had nothing to lose by signing the Washington convention; that it felt it might as well sign even though the regulations would have no direct application to conditions in China. He repeated that concessions and extraterritoriality were insurmountable obstacles to the extension of amateur radio privileges; that there are practically no Chinese amateur enthusiasts; that the socalled amateurs who operate in China are foreigners who usually have an ulterior motive; that while they can control amateurs who operate in strictly Chinese territory they are helpless so far as others are concerned. He expressed the belief that any extension of privileges to amateurs would be of no benefit to Chinese nationals but would result in more administrative troubles for the Chinese authorities. He concluded by saying that the Ministry of Communications would disapprove entering into proposed agreement at this time.
In view of this attitude of the official of the Ministry of Communications the Legation does not believe it desirable to pursue the matter further at the present time. However, the Legation does not believe that the conclusion or otherwise of the agreement contemplated in the Department’s instruction under acknowledgment will materially affect amateur radio activities in China.