has a carrying capacity of 10 passengers, and fuel for a distance of 675 miles. Air routes have been carefully mapped out which will link the cities of Macao, Hong Kong, Canton and Shanghai. Very soon routes which will extend so as to include Manila, Hai-Phong and Saigon will be established. (Air Service News Letter No.35) 5 OCTOBER 1920 Note from Wai Chiao Pu to British Legation Peking Sir I have the honour to inform you that I have received the following communication from the Ministry of Communications. “The International Air Convention contains so far no provision restricting the carrying of postal matter, and China’s Aviation Regulations will not be promulgated for some time. Foreign aviators have of late frequently flown in seaplanes from Macao to Woosung and Hankow and have been extending their business in China. This is a matter involving China’s sovereign rights, and out of care for those sovereign rights it is the duty of her authorities so long as the Convention has not been signed by this country nor her Aviation Regulations promulgated, to impose provisional restrictions upon the various activities possible to aircraft. That the Postal business of a country is carried on by the government is a universal principle. It is not permissible therefore for any Postal matter, except such as may be received from the Chinese Post Office, to be carried in aircraft entering or leaving Chinese territory. This does not apply, however, to Postal matter received from an Office under the Postal Union outside Chinese territory for delivery direct to the Chinese Post Office.” In informing you as above I have the honour to request that you will transmit the information to the proper quarters and avail, etc. (Seal of Wai Chiao Pu) (forwarded to Earl Curzon of Kedleston, Foreign Office, London; and M.D.Breen, Postmaster General, Hong Kong) See 24 NOVEMBER 1920 – PMG HK
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