CO537-3705 — Page 56

EN CLAIK

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En Clair

No. 137

TO HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham)

FROM S. OF S., COLONIES.

Sent 28th January, 1948. 17.00 hrs.

Following from Foreign Office to Nanking No.75 27th January repeated to you. Begins.

My immediately preceding telegram.

Following is text.

·(104).

"In evicting Chinese residents from the city of

Kowloon, the Government of Hong Kong have based their action on grounds of sanitation and fire prevention. On the other hand, the Chinese Government have maintained that, in accordance with treaty provision, China retains jurisdiction over the city of Kowloon.

Having given careful consideration to their respective positions and in view of the incident referred to above, the Chinese and British Governments have agreed upon the following points:

The entire area of the city of Kowloon shall be turned into a park to be placed under the charge of the local office of the Chinese Special Commissioner of Foreign Affairs for Kwangtung and Kwangsi (now in Hong Kong), which shall be located in the park. The Chinese Government shall undertake to settle all valid land claims in the said city.

B. Police, water, electricity, and such other public utility requirements as may be needed, will be provided at any time by the municipal authorities of the Kowloon leased territory, when so requested by the said office.

C. The municipal authorities of the Kowloon leased territory shall provide alternative housing accommodations for those who have been rendered homeless, as the result of the forcible demolition of their dwellings inside the city of Kowloon.

Apart from these points of settlement, there

should be understanding, first, that the Hong Kong Government undertake to make adequate compassionate grants to the Chinese residents who have sustained injuries in consequence of the Hong Kong police action on January 12th 1948 inside the city of Kowloon; and, secondly, that the Hong Kong authorities undertake to effect inmediate release of the two Chinese residents

arrested on the 5th January in the city of Kowloon." 7

Circulated to:-

Secretary of State Mr. Pearson Sir T. Lloyd

Mr. Rees Williams

Sir C. Jeffries

Sir S. Caine

Mr. Rogers

Mr. Eastwood

Mr. Mayle

Mr. W.I.J. Wallace

Mr. Poynton

Mr. Bennett

(>8n[q#Ţ) S+/+ +69/5 "LA T:1944

Mr. Galsworthy Mr. Ian Watt

Colonial Attache Mr. Blackburne

Mr. Collins

Mr. Bigg

Accounts Branch Mr. Holding R. 445

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