2.
149
3.
ports in China) would react detriment- ally on British interests in China by weakening our position in regard to coastal and inland water navigation rights in our present commercial treaty negotiations.
That, while Article 10 is considered of minor importance, the omission of Article 6 might be considered by China as tantamount to an acknowledgment that the Chinese Government as represented by the Customs Administration had a right to function in Hong Kong on their own terms.
In conformity with these opinions the
Committee passed the following Resolution:
"This Chamber supports the draft of the "Hong Kong China Trade and Customs "Agreement as forwarded by H.E. the "Governor of Hong Kong to the Colonial "Office, copy of which is now before it".
My Committee, with the exception of the
two members referred to above, feel that the
draft ågreement submitted by Hong Kong is
reciprocal and reasonable in view of the
privileges being offered to China and the
obligations that Hong Kong is willing to assume.
They feel that agreement with the
modification suggested by China in Clause 5
might seriously prejudice our position with
regard to coastal and inland water navigation
rights. Though at present British vessels
cannot trade from Hong Kong to non-open ports
in China, the functioning of Chinese Customs
at Hong Kong would to all intents and purposes
give Hong Kong a Treaty Port status, which
status should automatically include inland
water navigation rights.
/If
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