TNAG-0027-FCO40-63-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 155

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CYPHER/CAT A

IMMEDIATE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TO WELLINGTON

TELNO. 958

CONFIDENTIAL.

12 SEPTEMBER 1967 (HONG KONG H.W.)

ADDRESSED TO WELLINGTON TELEGRAM NO. 958 OF 12 SEPTEMBER

REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG.

YOUR TELEGRAM NO. 448.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION ON HONG KONG,

THE ONLY COMMENTS THAT WE HAVE ON PROPOSED REPLY ARE TO SUGGEST:- (A) SUBSTITUTION OF THE WORD QUOTE SECTIONS UNQUOTE FOR THE WORD QUOTE TERRITORIES UNQUOTE WHERE IT FIRST APPEARS IN THE SECOND SENTENCE: AND

(B) OMISSION OF ALL WORDS BEFORE QUOTE I DO NOT THINK UNQUOTE IN THE LAST SENTENCE.

2. AS REGARDS CURRENT SITUATION IN THE COLONY, SO FAR AS WE KNOW NO CLAIM TO HONG KONG HAS BEEN PUT FORWARD BY THE CHINESE

GOVERNMENT APART FROM SUCH STATEMENTS AS THAT IN PEOPLES DAILY OF 20 AUGUST THAT HONG KONG HAS BEEN CHINESE TERRITORY SINCE ANCIENT TIMES. TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE THE CHINESE ATTITUDE REMAINS AS STATED BY THEM IN MARCH 1963 NAMELY THAT HONG KONG

AND MACAO ARE LEGACIES OF QUOTE UNEQUAL TREATIES UNQUOTE IN THE PAST AND THAT THE CHINESE CLAIM WILL BE SETTLED PEACEFULLY THROUGH NEGOTIATION WHEN THE TIME IS RIPE.

CROSEC

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

C.O.

H.K. & W.I.D. 'C'

F.E. & P. DEPT.

J.R.D. (ECON)

NEWS DEPT.

SENT 14.50Z/12 SEPTEMBER

J.I.R.D.

IAR

RE

J.I.P.G.D.

149

DEFENCE DEPT.

F.0.

F.E.D.

Ri

DDDDD

S.E.A.D.

NEWS DEPT.

D.D. & P.U.S.D.

D.I.S. M.O.D.

CONFIDENTIAL