TNAG-0752-FCO40-956-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 179

GPS 213

RIORITY

CYPHER CA TA

FROM LISBON 261358Z JUN

RESTRICTED

Akk one!!

40. 51

20 2 JUN 1978

OFFICER

PA

RES SURY Actio↑ Teken

RESTRICTED

TO PRIORITY FCO TEL NO 213 OF 26 JUNE

SAVING TO (PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR) HONG KONG AND PEKING

HONG KONG

See

3856

IN THE CONTEXT OF THE NEGOTIATIONS THEY EXPECT TO BEGIN VERY SOON FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH CHINA, IN WHICH THE STATUS OF MACAO WILL INEVITABLY BE DISCUSSED, THE POLITICAL

DIRECTOR OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS HAS ASKED IF WE COULD

LET HIM HAVE QUICKLY DOCUMENTATION ON THE LEGAL STATUS OF HONG KONG, THOUGH THE PORTUGUESE RECOGNISE THE STATUS OF MACAO IS DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF HONG KONG. IT APPEARS FROM WHITAKERS THAT OPERATIVE DOCUMENTS ARE TREATY OF NANKING OF 1842, PEKING CONVENTION OF 1860 AND LEASE AGREEMENT FOR NEW TERRITORIES SIGNED IN 1898. GRATEFUL IF COPIES OF THESE COULD BE SENT TO US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TOGETHER WITH ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS. IF THERE IS ANY SUMMARY OF THE LEGAL POSITION WHICH WE COULD GIVE TO THE POLITICAL DIRECTOR AS WELL THIS WOULD NO DOUBT BE HELPFUL.

FCO PASS SAVING ADDRESSEES

MOR AN

[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]

FILES

SED

FED

HK & GD

LEGAL ADVS.

NTD

MR.HIBBERT

MR.CORTAZZI

MR.MURRAY

MR.FERGUSSON

RESTRICTED