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which the houses in question were situated is Crown land. This reason clearly ignores Chinese jurisdiction over the city of Kowloon, which China has never re- nounced, and the Chinese Government are quite unable to accept it. They further consider that the action of the Hong Kong Government in forcibly demolishing the houses of the inhabitants of Kowloon City is contrary to the friendship that has always existed between the Governments and peoples of China and Britain.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs now formally declare to the British Embassy that the Chinese Government, in accordance with the provisions of the Convention of 1898, still enjoy jurisdiction over the city of Kowloon and that they have no inten- tion whatsoever of renouncing this juris- diction. The Chinese Government are quite unable to consider as legitimate any measure in breach of the Convention of 1898 respecting an extension of the Hong Kong territory adopted by the British Government in the past or that may be adopted in future. Should the British Government have a different interpretation of the said convention, they should seek an equitable and reasonable settlement through the usual diplomatic channel. Regarding the forcible demolition and evacuation of the houses of the inhabitants in the city of Kowloon, the Ministry request that the embassy will inform the British Government [of the Chinese Govern- ment's] hope that they will take into serious consideration the friendly relations that have always existed between the Governments and peoples of China and

Britain, stop the Hong Kong Government from continuing to adopt such measures, and immediately order them to release the arrested representatives of the inhabitants, cease to effect arrests, and provide proper accommodation for the inhabitants who have suffered losses.

It is requested that the above be trans- mitted to the British Government without delay and that a reply be returned.

(Stamped)

Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Nanking, 8th January, 1948.

Enclosure 2

His Majesty's Embassy to Chinese Ministry for Foreign Affairs

(No. 12)

His Britannic Majesty's Embassy pre- sent their compliments to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the Ministry's memorandum No. Ou 37/00559 of 8th January protesting against the demolition of certain huts constructed within the area of Kowloon City and the eviction of their owners therefrom.

The contents of the Ministry's memoran- dum have been communicated to the British authorities concerned. But His Majesty's Embassy wish to make it clear that they are unable to accept as valid the claim put for- ward by the Chinese Government to juris- diction over Kowloon City.

Nanking, 10th January, 1948.