TNAG-0580-FCO40-713-UK-policy-on-status-of-Hong-Kong-1976 — Page 47

CODE 18 - 77

Mr Milton [HKD K 247]

STATUS OF HONG KONG

CONFIDENTIAL

Reference.

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1. This will be a most useful submission. My only questions are about the last sentence of the last paragraph (where I have tentatively suggested an extra phrase).

2. Both points concern the lack of a clear legal view. Am I right in believing that this stems from the different legal basis of UK control over a) Hong Kong island and territory also ceded on the Kowloon Peninsula and b) the 'New Territories' leased from the then Chinese Government? If so, I believe this point should be spelt out. At any rate, it seems necessary to amend the two passages I have referred to above.

3. I have kept a copy of the draft submission to show to Mr Samuel who is at a meeting this morning.

29 November 1976

I ain (.Or

I C Orr

Far Eastern Dept

CONFIDENTIAL