TNAG-0943-FCO40-1162-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 224

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

DSR 11C

q.

CONFIDENTIAL

the power to legislate for the Colony by prerogative Order In Council. Furthermore, the UK Parliament has power to legislate for Hong Kong by Act of Parliament".

It will be noted that whilst none of these statements

makes use of the term "sovereignty", each contains a clear and implicit assertion of British sovereignty over Hong Kong.

SECTION II: CHINESE VIEWS ON THE STATUS OF HONG KONG

10. Chinese Nationalist views The views of the Chinese People's Government (CPG) on the status of Hong Kong has developed naturally from the views of previous Governments. The Chinese doctrine of "unequal treaties" has at times been

held to apply to Hong Kong and whilst the term is rarely used now, it implicitly informs many Chinese attitudes, Distinction

has at various times been made between the status of the ceded

territory and that of the leased New Territories.

11.

The term "unequal treaties" was generally used by

the Nationalist Chinese Government to describe the treaties and clauses in

treaties which had granted extraterritorial rights in China

to foreign countries. The Chinese Government first

challenged these rights, though the treaties were not then referred to as "unequal", at the Versailles Peace Conference

of 1919 and the Washington Conference of 1921.

12.

de Conferences

statement part from questions of extraterritoriality,Chinese Lead also dealt with issues regarding leased territories and made specific reference to the treaty of 1898 with Britain which provided for the extension of Hong Kong. Thus the New Territories were included in the following claim:

"Though the exercise of administrative rights over the territories leased is relinquished by China to the lessee power, during the period of the lease, the sovereignty of China over them is reserved in all cases"

and:

"It appears clear that the leased territories remain part

- 5

CONFIDENTIAL

/01

Dd 427265 250M 5/77 905275

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.