اسامان
SI
4.
(a)
Comment. A possible demand, although our recent policy has made sure that the office of Director of the NCNA is increasingly dignified and that the NCNA is enabled to carry out its functions efficiently (e.g. by using confidential communications). The one important
facility they do not at present have is the ability to grant visas locally. There is no good reason from our point of view why they should not do so.
We
(b) Response. We have every desire that the NCNA should carry out its functions efficiently and effectively. have arranged for them to have confidential communications. We have no objection to them, or China Travel Service, issuing visas. If the Chinese wish to propose a different title for the office, we are prepared to consider favourably their suggestions. However, the present arrangement seems to work very satisfactorily, and it would be difficult to change the name without implying that a change of substance had occurred. (Some changes in the title of the office would be tant amount to having an official representative in which case the response at 4(b) above applies.)
6.
Sovereignty. The Chinese say that, if they are to acquiesce in new arrangements which strengthen the position of the British administration, we must acknowledge publicly that the present situation is based on unequal treaties. Hong Kong is Chinese territory occupied by Britain. We must make a public declaration to that effect. Otherwise they cannot be publicly associated in any way with our new moves.
(a) Comment. A possible demand, particularly since something of this sort was said to the Portuguese earlier this year.
The chances of the Chinese making such a demand will be increased if the Portuguese accede to it. Fortunately the most recent indications are that they will not. A public statement by HMG that Hong Kong is Chinese territory temporarily administered by Britain (or that we recognise
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