TNAG-0121-FCO40-157-Kowloon-walled-city-and-adjoining-areas-1970 — Page 37

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CONFIDENTIAL

SCR 5/3371/60 V

KOWLOON WALLED CITY

A direction was given at Government House on 26th September 1969 that an examination should be made of ways by which we could take advantage of a major emergency within the Walled City, such as a fire or building collapse, in order to impose our authority over all or part of it (Item 512/69). Two meetings have been held and the attached paper has been agreed as a basis for planning.

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A plan exists for the redevelopment of the Walled City and its surrounding area. The Nunnery Plan for the immediately contiguous areas was considered by the Governor's Committee on 26th September 1969

(Item 512/69) and it was agreed that the first stage should be put into effect as soon as possible. Long term plans for the City area were prepared in 1963 but shelved because of a protest from Peking: these plans in effect provide for the complete obliteration of the Walled City. The 1963 plans will be looked at again to decide whether the arguments on which they were based are still valid. may, at a later date, be necessary to refer back to the Governor's Committee for a ruling on whether development plans should be based on the obliteration of the City, its demarcation within, for instance, a park or its redevelopment as a more hygienic and accessible entity.

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The Governor's Committee is asked now to agree in principle to the proposals in the annexed paper so that a detailed study and

preparation of background material can go forward. A decision is

also necessary as to whether London and our mission in Peking should be informed of our plans at this stage.

1

6th November, 1969. Defence Branch

Pe look at his ins consultation

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with H.1C. Defi", con profane

баше испилен 6.

LABT

REF.

HEAT REF.

Mr Affligend.

CONFIDENTIAL

Sec