PAPER E. 'No. 3.
Kong
(Copied from Hong Kong Telegram, No. 65 of
17th January, 1948.
Mr. ".W. Kok. Commissioner for Kwangtung
and
wangsi, Chinese Ministry of
Foreign Affairs to Governor of
Hang con c
13th January.
Since the issue by Hong Kong authorities of a notice last November regarding demolition of structures within Kowloon ...alled City, I have called on Your Excellency on 29th November, the 2nd December, the 17th December and 23rd December, 1947, and on esch occasion reminded Your @xcellency that on the basis of the Peking Convention 1898, the Chinese Government have never waived jurisdiction over Kowloon alled City, and that in a statement issued in septemer, 1946, bɔth by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and by this office, the stand of the Chinese Government regarding this matter has been clearly defined. At the same time, on more than one occasion during the above mentioned interviews, I have stated that the Chinese Goverment attach importance to the maintenance and furthering of the existing friendly relationship between the British and Chinese and also between the Hong Kong Government and Chinese residents here and that we invite the Hong Kong Government to adopt the same view. I also stated that it would be sagacious for the Hong Kong Government not to pursue any forcible Dessures which may affect an amicable settle.cent of this issue.
Notwithstanding my representations, in the early hours of the 5th January, 1948, armed Hong Kong police su denly marched into Kowloon Walled City, forcibly demolished structures
there and arrested two of the residents. No provision was made by the Hong Kong Government for necessary relief. Following this incident, I have again called on Your Excellency on the 7th January, 1948, lodged a strong protest against this action, reserved all rights to claima for indemnities and demanded: -
(1) that the Hong Kong Government assumes full responsibility for the forcible demolition of the structures within Kowloon »alled City;
(2) that the Hong Kong Government provides immediate relief for the homeless even from humanitarian point of view;
(3) that the Hong Government effects an immediate release of the two residents arrosted, namely, Chu Pui-Tong and Lau (Ngai-Pu; and
(4) that the Hong Kong Government restores as an initial step those structures which were on land substantiated by deed.
On the 10th January, 1948, on the occasion of a further interview with Your ŝxcellency I pressed for the release of the two residents under arrest, and stated that to avoid further aggravating the situation, no forcible measures in any for be pursued by the Hong Kong Government.
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on/