FOREIGN OFFICE FILES FOR CHINA, 1949-1976
(Public Record Office Classes FO 371 and FCO 21)

Part 1: Complete Files for 1949 (PRO Class FO 371/75731-75957)

Part 1 provides the complete files for 1949.  There are detailed reports on the political situation in China and on events leading up to the formation of the Communist Government.

• Many files cover the economic situation and British commercial interests in China.
• The famous incident involving HMS Amethyst on the Yangtze River is well documented.
• Other files cover relations between China and Hong Kong.
• There is lots of material on the differences between British and American policy towards China.
• A significant number of files cover Formosa (Taiwan).