130
Cypher/OTP
RECEIVED
11 FEB 1948 C.O. REGY.
POLITICAL.
FROM NANKING TO FORMIGN OFFICE.
Sir R. Stevenson.
No. 143.
7th February, 1948. Repeated to Hongkong.
CONFIDENTIAL.
LIGHT.
D. 7.54 p.m. 7th February, 1948.
R. 8.24 p.m. 7th February, 1948.
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 143 of 7th February, repeated to Hongkong.
My telegram No. 1 [grp. undec.]
Kowloon squatters.
Vice minister for Foreign Affairs yesterday handed 114. Counsellor copy of Chinese Embassy note to you of February 5th in advance of its release to the press here February 7th. I am sending a copy by air mail to Hongkong.
2. Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs at the same time stated that the proposal to offer Kowloon City as site for Chinese Consulate General (mentioned by me to the Minister for Foreign Affairs in conversation as a possible solution) would not (repeat not) be acceptable to the Chinese Government as this would conflict with Chinese territorial status of this area. It is apparent from latest communications that Chinese Government now seek to emphasize rather than shelve the issue of sovereignty. This will not facilitate solution by
compromise, but we should make it clear to the Chinese Government that it is up to them to make some concessions if they genuinely desire amicable settlement.
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