893.5034 Registration/7–1844: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2 p.m.]
1235. Matter of registration of American firms has been discussed with Minister of Economic Affairs in accordance with your 905, July 3, 1 p.m. and he tells me that period for registration will be extended to end of the year. I have sent by pouch English translation of memorandum from Ministry of Economic Affairs22 seeking to clarify points raised by National Foreign Trade Council in their memo23 received with your instruction 628, May 3.23 British firms are experiencing same difficulty as American companies in matter of registration. British Embassy does not appear to have been active in matter and there is some suggestion that British look to us to carry the ball in the discussions for time being. In my opinion the regulations are vague, cumbersome and unsatisfactory, but Minister [of] Economic Affairs tells me that all he can do is to enforce existing law and regulations.
I suggest that during visit Vice President Kung of Executive Yuan in United States and in view of his public expressions of welcome to American participation in postwar China trade, some of dissatisfaction of American interests with Chinese laws and regulations should be made known to him. At same time it would be helpful to Embassy if we might have information on our legal requirements in United States on registration of foreign firms and on legal requirements in other countries.24 Such information would be useful in endeavoring to persuade Chinese to modify their requirements.