:

(

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr Milton

Re

FLAGE

لانا

VISIT OF THE CHINESE

ORET

CORDION MINISTER : 6 JUNE 10 JUNE

EIGN

ADDITIONAL DEFENSIVE BRIEF

STATUS OF HONG KONG

It is just conceivable although unlikely, that during the talks between the Secretary of State and Chi Peng-fei, Chi may make some remarks prejudicial to our view of the

status of Hong Kong, In this case, but only in this case, the Secretary of State will wish to put the record straight.

will, wish

In doing so it is strongly recommended that he confine

himself to making the following two points:

とい

If the Chinese continue to assert their view of

,the status of Hong Kong they should be in no doubt

that we may be forced

status in reply.

assert our view of Hong Kong's

·

2) We shall continue to act in Hong Kong and over the

affairs of Hong Kong in accordance with qur view of Hong Kong's' status and our responsibility for its

administration.

The

According to our record of the talk between the Secretary

of State and Chou En-lai on 1 November 1972 Chou En-lai said:

"The British were ruling Hong Kong and were responsible.

Chinese did not quarrel with that. They respected the British

position."

i

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