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519784831
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Notes
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doc
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519784831
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5
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1951-12-05
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12
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1951
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nara-archive
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photo
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83cd605dfb3767de
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Embassy 73 (Delivered to State Department by British, 12/5/51) COPY Trade with China (a similar note on the position was given to Mr. Acheson in Rome, and the British Joint Services Mission are communicating a copy to General Bradley) It is true that there was a considerable increase in trade with China immediately after the outbreak of the Korean war but all figures available show that there has been a steady and substantial decline in trade during 1951. 2. Shipping. No figures are available for shipping engaged in trade with China before February 1951. At the end of February there were 158 ships of all nationalities excluding Soviet bloc engaged in China trade of which 64 were British and 56 Panamanian. At the end of November there were only 58 ships of which 26 were British and 17 Panamanian. In addition at the end of November there were 6 Polish ships engaged in this trade. Trade. 15 x 3. United Kingdom exports to China by average monthly values in thousand pounds sterling were:- 1950 First Quarter 98 Second 182 Third " 479 Fourth " 436 1951 First Quarter 430 Second 250 Third 11 120 Hong Kong exports to China by average monthly values in thousand pounds sterling were:- 1950 First Quarter 5622 Second 4109 Third If 6754 Fourth " 10409 1951 First Quarter 13748 Second 10239 Third 5675 The figure for the third quarter of 1951 shows very clearly the effect of the United Nations embargo. These figures include exports by sea or rail to China. The decline would of course be much more marked if account were taken of the general rise in world prices. Imports into Hong Kong from all sources during 1949 were at an average monthly rate of pounds sterling 14.3 million. During 1950 at pounds sterling 19.7 million and in September 1951 at pounds sterling 28.7 million. Much of this increase can be attributed to the general rise in world prices. 4. It is worth noting that the United Nations embargo on trade with China covers only strategic materials and leaves a large range of non-strategic commodities available for legitimate trade.