Chinese government officials.
In reply, I am to state, for the information of Lord Salisbury, that it appears to him that although the Colony is interested, Their Lordships' own interests would probably find it advantageous to communicate with Chinese Authorities through an official channel.
It would be an impropriety in British subjects in Hong Kong addressing themselves to Her Majesty's Representatives in China, or to the Chinese Authorities, on their private affairs, as distinguished from matters in which the Colony is interested, in which the British channel should be used.
But in such cases as those alluded to in Paragraph 4 & Administrator Fleming's Despatch, referred to in your Letter under reply, where officers of the Chinese Customs appear to have applied...
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