3.
an international body as to how we carry it out, for instance under the provisions of Article 3(ii) of the Convention (particularly since the body is open to manipulation by one or two local zealots).
6.
Consequently we could not agree to the marshes (and therefore to any area in Hong Kong) being designated as a wet land of international importance, and we would not wish the Convention extended to Hong Kong if it would lay us open to further pressure to do
so.
7.
In any case, we are not sure whether designating territory claimed by China as of
international importance would be a good idea.
8.
11
In view of the foregoing, and though we will in practice do everything we reasonably can to preserve these marshes, and indeed natural flora and fauna of all sorts in Hong Kong, I am doubtful if there is any action specified in the Convention we could properly undertake, apart from Article 4(1) and conceivably 4(3) and (5), though even in these cases we could not accept any obligations. hand I fear there is much we might be pressed to do under the Convention that we could not do.
9.
On the other
However, so long as our attitude on this is understood, and we can count on your support in resisting pressures, we are content to have the Convention extended to Hong Kong, if this is what HMG wishes.
ソー
M