With the
pliments of the
190
9 DEC 1942
F. 7/26
Inder-Mersin,
• Hairu
OUTWARD TELEGRAM
CYPHER TYPEX)
FROM:
D.O.
ΤΟ
CANADA
AUSTRALIA
NEW ZEALAND
(Sent 8.30. p.m.
D.No. 522.
+
SECRET.
(GOVT)
#1
SOUTH AFRICA
#!
8th Dec., 1942.)
S.D.
82
136
My telegram D.No. 509 of 4th December.
Chinese extra-territoriality.
1. His Majesty's Ambassador has now been sent instructions as to reply to be given to Chinese Government's proposal (see my telegram D.No. 463 paragraph 2 (b)) for the termination of the Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory of 9th June 1898. The effect of this proposal if adopted would be to restore immediately to China the "New Territories" on the mainland of China adjoining Kowloon. Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula itself would not be included in the rendition.
2. His Majesty's Ambassador has been informed that the United Kingdom Government are not prepared to consider the "New Territories" in connexion with the present Treaty since these have nothing to do with extra-teritoriality but as stated in the Convention are an enlargement of British territority. The Chinese proposal is therefore in an entirely different category from those regarding concessions and settlements in China in which we are relinquishing our special rights. His Majesty's Ambassador will therefore inform Chinese Government that we regard the New Territories as outside the scope of the present Treaty.
3. If His Majesty's Ambassador, considers it inevitable that we shall have to go further, we might be prepared to inform Chinese Government that on the victory of the United Nations we look for a reconstruction in the Far East which will secure peace and order for all both on land and on sea. In this we should expect all the United Nations to co-operate for the common advantage in the several respects in which they have special contributions to offer and in such circumstances we should be ready to consider with the Chinese Government what should be the future status of the New Territories during the currency of the lease.
4. My telegram D.No. 509 of 4th December paragraph 1 (¿) (g). In order to make clearer the strictly reciprocal nature of our attitude as regards coastal trade and inland navigation His Majesty's Ambassador has been sent revised instructions as to wording of clause in draft Exchange of Notes which we will be willing to a ccept if Chinese Government press for this matter to be dealt with in present negotiations. Revised clause is on following linea:- We relinquish all existing treaty rights relating to the participation or our merchant vessels in the coastal trade and inland navigation of China, and China-
velinquishes/