TNAG-0848-FCO40-1058-Future-of-Hong-Kong-New-Territories-leases-1979 — Page 65

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(Shen Jo-yun) at the Chinese Liaison Office in Washington requested that

Mr Wolff retract these "erroneous" remarks. On the question of Hong Kong,

Shen said that the Chinese position was as follows:

"Hong Kong is Chinese territory, but it is an issue left over from the history of the unequal treaties imposed on China. When conditions are right, the situation will be peacefully solved. Until then, the status quo will be observed."

(This information passed in confidence, please protect).

7.

In private conversation, Chinese officials have sought to make the

same point. An official of the Hong Kong branch of the New China News

Agency at a private gathering of local businessmen in September 1975

remarked that even though China did not recognise the 19th century treat-

ies between Britain and China, she would have regard to the date 1997.

Even when 1997 arrived, it was not certain that China would wish to

regain control of Hong Kong immediately. Much would depend upon the

precise situation obtaining at that time, but if China did decide to

recover Hong Kong, it would be by negotiation with the British Government.

Asked whether there was any difference between Hong Kong and the New

Territories, the official replied that since Hong Kong would clearly not

be viable without the New Territories, then Britain (and by implication

China) would be unlikely to negotiate a separate settlement for only part

of the territory. The Chinese Government would take into account the

differing lease terms which had been issued by the authorities in

Hong Kong.

8. In November 1977 during an interview with members of the Society

for Anglo-Chinese Understanding, Wang Bingnan (Wang Ping-nan), the

President of the Chinese Association for the Promotion of International

Friendship, is reported to have said :

/"In

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