DRAFT
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CONFILETIAL
Anut
DSR 11C
BACKGROUND ON CHINESE REQUESTS FOR OFFICIAL REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG
1. The Government of the PRC have raised the question of
official representation in Hong Kong on numerous occasions,
the first in 1955, but most vigorously during the early and
mid-1970's. At no point have they defined the precise status
and function of their proposed representative, but they have
offered assurances that no executive functions would be sought
Deng Xiaoping told Mr Edward Heath in 1974 that China would
never seek to exploit the position of an official represent-
ative to attain other ends.
2. The titles favoured by the Chinese for such a post have
been Commissioner, or Representative of the Ministry of Foreig
Affairs or of Guangdong Province. They have rejected the
possible title of Consul-General, which would imply an
admission that Hong Kong is foreign territory.
Precedents
3. The issue of official Chinese representation in Hong Kong
was first raised as early as 1869, but was rejected by the
Hong Kong authorities. It was taken by up the Kuomintang (KM
Government in 1940 and agreement was reached in principle on
the appointment of a representative.
Action then was prevente
by the war with Japan, but the subject was revived in 1945,
when it was suggested to the Chinese that they might wish to
appoint a Consul-General. The KMT Government appointed
Fir T W Kwok, but as 'Special Commissioner of the Chinese
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)', and concurrently 'Special
Delegate of the MFA in Guangdong and Guangxi'. Mr Kwok
arrived in Hong Kong in November 1945, but there is no record
of his having presented any credentials or of any official
dealings between him and the Hong Kong Government.
CONFIDENTIAL
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Od 427265 250M 5/77 905275