L rules, a position which would inevitably lead to difficulties and complications, and hinder efforts to shake the confidence of the Chinese in British rule; in considering this matter it cannot be too much borne in mind that the Colony of Hongkong and China are contiguous, and that arguments which might be advanced in favour of the appointment of a Chinese Consul do not apply to Hongkong, as they do in Singapore.
Hongkong is so near China that on Chinese maps it is made to appear as Chinese territory and regarded by not a few Chinese as still belonging to the Chinese Empire. Attempts have been made on more than one occasion by Chinese officials to avail themselves of this popular error by endeavouring to interfere with their countrymen in Hongkong by addressing orders to them, as if they were under their jurisdiction. The object of such interference has almost invariably been money and not the welfare of the Chinese. It has not been easy to frustrate such endeavours in the past. It would still be more difficult to do so with a Chinese official in our midst, and much of the time which is profitably spent in looking after Chinese interests, would be taken up in keeping a watch on the Consul and protecting the Chinese against the machinations of the officer, who ought himself to protect them.
19th Jany, 1891.
(Signed) J. A. Stewart Lockhart