TNAG-0943-FCO40-1162-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 98

SECRET

CHINESE REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG

Summary

1.

The issue of Chinese official representation in Hong Kong has been raised a number of times since 1868. The idea has generally been resisted on the grounds that the presence of such an official in Hong Kong might serve to undermine govern- ment authority in the colony and act as a focus of discontent among Hong Kong's largely Chinese population. At various periods, political instability in China has been given as an additional reason for withholding consent to such an appointment.

2. However, on apparently four occasions, in 1883, 1890, 1941 and 1945, HMG did agree to allow a Chinese consular official to operate in Hong Kong, albeit under various conditions. In 1941 and 1945, wider interests of Sino-British relations, such as the re-opening of British consulates in China after the war, were given as reasons for meeting Chinese wishes. In none of these four instances, however, did a Chinese consul actually take up office in Hong Kong.

3.

Various titles have been put forward for an official Chinese representative in Hong Kong :-

Consul

Consul-General

Personal representative (of Chiang Kai-shek)

Liaison Officer (pending consideration of appointment of

a Consul-General)

Special Commissioner

Representative in Hong Kong of the Chinese Ministry of

Foreign Affairs

Commissioner for Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic

of China

Representative of Guangdong

Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

SECRET