38
CHINA AND HONG KONG
Extract of Ang & ECAFE Confiliene.
ene. 1974.
26. In the Drafting Committee last year the Chinese proposed amendments to passages in the ECAFE Secretariat draft which implied, directly or indirectly, that Hong Kong was a country. They have since objected to the use of the word "country" and on one occasion the word "territory", to describe Hong Kong in other UN contexts; and to Hong Kong being designated as "Government of Hong Kong "in the heading of a UN Development Programme document.
27.
If the Chinese raise this question, we would prefer to take it up with them informally and to tell them that we are already discussing the question with the Secretariat. If a formal statement is necessary, the UK delegates should speak on the same lines.
28. At the ECAFE meeting last year the Chinese avoided taking issue with us over the status of Hong Kong or her right to attend the meeting. It therefore seems unlikely that she will raise the issue this year. However, if the Chinese delegate makes a statement for the record about the status of Hong Kong, the UK delegate should issue a quiet counter-statement.
29. If China pursues the issue, and objects fundamentally to Hong Kong's separate representation in ECAFE, the Delegation should argue that only ECOSOC has the power to alter the present position (it is however not a foregone conclusion that ECOSOC itself would support Hong Kong).
30. Our first objective must be to ensure that Hong Kong's voice continues to be heard in ECAFE, We must also maintain as low a profile as possible.
31. The Delegation should report by telegram any moves which the Chinese make on the question of Hong Kong's presence. If the Chinese take up a position more extreme than a simple protest for the record, the United Kingdom Delegation should in consultation with the Hong Kong representative, formally reserve our position and seek immediate instructions.
32. If the Chinese simply protest for the record, the United Kingdom delegate should circulate a formal rebuttal on the following lines:
"With reference to the statement made by the Chinese Representa- tive, the United Kingdom Representative wishes to inform the meeting that his Government's views on this question were clearly stated in the letter addressed by Her Majesty's Representative in New York to the Secretary-General of the United Nations on 19 December 1972".
33. The UK Delegation should if at all possible confine their response to the circulation of a written document, but may in the last resort speak on these lines in Plenary.
BRUNEI
34. Brunei is an Associate Member of ECAFE and is entitled to participate without a vote in all meetings of the Commission and the Committees of the Whole. In other committees it is entitled to vote and hold office.
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CONFIDENTIAL
K
/35.