493.46G9/12–850: Telegram

The Consul General at Hong Kong (McConaughy) to the Secretary of State

secret

1443. Re Deptel 1139, October 25, repeated London 2149, Manila, 705, Taipei 371 and mytels 954 November 1, 1096 November 14 and 1348 November 30 [December 1].1

[Page 676]

Hong Kong Government today introduced “exportation (prohibition) (specified articles) (No. 2) order 1950” which prohibits export from Hong Kong wide range articles classified as munitions or adaptable military purposes. Colonial Secretary said order specifically designed prevent items reaching Communist China, that order included necessary authority remove “intransit” cargoes these items but that no action that regard presently contemplated except in Necessary circumstances;” that departure landing craft and like vessels from colony will be prohibited under item entitled “appliances for use with arms and apparatus exclusively designed and intended for land, sea or aerial warfare.”

Order includes aircraft, aircraft engines, amphibian vehicles, bayonets, bombs, bulletproof tires, cannon, cartridges, depth charges, explosive substances, fire arms every description, flame throwers, mines, grenades, gun forgings, land mine detectors, landing mats, Link trainers, machine guns. Under heading “machinery and machine tools” are wide range bullet and shell making equipment; also many items “military equipment and accoutrements” and “noxious gases.”

Complete list items and comments contained despatch 7971, December 8, 1950 mailed today.2

Department pass London, sent Department 1443, repeated info London 62, Manila 119, Taipei 175.

McConaughy
  1. None printed. These messages dealt in general with the problem of preventing munitions and other implements of war from reaching Communist China via Hong Kong.
  2. Not printed.