CO537-2187 — Page 76

CHINA

"HONGKONG WILL REMAIN A COLONY"

GOVERNOR

ha OH Morris

12도

Mine DB Whyle

Mr. Wallace 5 35 Mr. Magte

Jagte 534.

NANKING, FRIDAY - SIR ALEXANDER GRANTHAM, GOVERNOR“ OF HONGKONG, WHO ARRIVED IN NANKING TWO DAYS AGO ON A "PUREL Y COURTESY VISIT", TODAY DENIED THAT CHANGES WERE PENDING IN THE STATUS OF HONGKONG. "HONGKONG WILL NOT BECOME A DOMINION BUT WILL REMAIN A COLONY, HE SAID.

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HE DECLINED TO COMMENT ON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE POSSIBLE TRANSFER OF HONGKONG TO CHINA DECLARING THAT THE COLONY HAD LONG- RANGE RECONSTRUCTION PLANS. PROFESSOR SIR PATRICK ABERCROMBIE, THE TOWN PLANNING EXPERT, WAS GOING TO HONGKONG NEXT MONTH TO CONSULT WITH ENGINEERS, HE SAID. REUTER 1305