CO537-1657 — Page 67

Σthact from BBC Moutoring Venice

14/15-9-41

SHANGHAI IN ENGLISH

74.19

15.9.46

CONTROL OF KOWLOON: GOVERN KENT SPOKESMAN Hongkong: A Government okesman flatly denied recurring Chinese Press reports that part of Kowloon administration would be turned over to China, Reports indicated that the Chinese Government still considers a portion of Karloon to be part of China and added that it was planning to exercise sovereignty over that area, The spokesman pointed out that Chinese officials were permitted to remain at Kowloon city for a short time after 1st July 1898, when the treaty became effective under which China leased the so-called new territories to Britain. This situation was found to be "inconsistent with military requirements for the defence of Hongkong," and Chinese jurisdiction terminated. Since then "British authorities had exercised sole jurisdiction over Kowloon city as well as the remainder of the now territories,"

14.20

Extract from B.B.C. Moutoring Service 16/17-9.46

KOWLOON JURISDICTION: FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPOKESMAN Ho Feng-shan, Director of the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, declares: "China has never waived jurisdiction over Kowloon city. This statement followed a denial by a Hong Kong Government spokesman that the area was Chinese territory or that China has any jurisdiction there.

Asked whether it was true that "in 1899 Chinese sovereignty in that area ran counter to British interests and that it was therefore declared null and void," he replied: "According to the Peiping Treaty of 1898 it was expressly provided that within the city of Kowloon, Chinese officials now stationed there shall continue to exercise jurisdiction except is so far as may be inconsistent with the defence requirements of Hong Kong."

From the above provision it is evident that Chinese officials will continue to exercise jurisdiction in Kowloon city because China has never waived jurisdiction there.