+KK 349/1
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
14 DEC 1934
Mrs Coe, FED
DESK OFFICER INDEX
REGI XY
PA
Action
Surt
92
Reference GNT 401/301/1
pa.
85
UK/CHINA CONSULAR AGREEMENT AND UNDERSTANDING ON CHINESE VISA OFFIC IN HONG KONG
82
1. In the light of Peking telno 2885 of 4 December, Hong Kong telno 3712 of 5 December and Mr Whomersley's minute of 4 December to Miss Walker, HKD, the future sequence of events would appear to be as follows:
(a)
84
UK Order to be taken in the House of Lords this evening, 6 December.
CODE 18-77
(b)
UK Order to be made at Privy Council's meeting of 19 December.
(c)
(d)
(e)
Hong Kong Governor meanwhile approves Ordinance, to take effect on 24 December, and Hong Kong notifies Peking and FCO accordingly.
After 24 December, Ambassador in Peking sends formal notification to Chinese Foreign Minister. Understanding on Chinese Visa Office in Hong Kong thereupon comes into operation.
Chinese Foreign Minister notifies Ambassador of completi of Chinese procedures in relation to Consular Agreement, which then enters into force.
2. I should be grateful if FED would coordinate and take the necessary action. Subject to your views and those of HKD and the Legal Advisers, the following appears to be required:
(82
(a) Reply to paragraph 2 of Peking telno 2885 agreeing to the
course which they have proposed but stipulating that the Ambassador's formal notification is not to be addressed to the Chinese Foreign Minister until the Embassy have received confirmation from Hong Kong that the HK Ordinance has taken effect.
83
184
(b) Send Peking the revised form of words for the Ambassador':
formal notification to the Chinese (Foreign Minister, i.e. the draft enclosed in my minute of 30 November, as amended by paragraph 3 of Mr Whomersley's minute of 4 December. As regards the second of his amendments, while I accept that the words 'privileges and immunities' should be deleted from the seventh line of the second paragraph of the draft Note, it would appear that the preposition before the phrase 'the Ministry's Visa Office in Hong Kong should be 'on', or perhaps 'concerning', rather than 'for'
(c)
On 20 December, check with Mr Brooks, Legal Executive Section, that the UK Order was duly made on the previous day and, if so, telegraph Peking and Hong Kong (with reference to paragraph 1 of FCO telno 1469 to Peking of 30 November) that all necessary UK procedures were completed on 19 December.
13.