TNAG-1019-FCO40-1269-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-China-1981 — Page 32

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布政司

下亞厘畢..道

* OUR REF.. SCR2/906/80

YOUR Ref.:

TAL

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GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT

LOWER ALBERT ROAD

HONG KONG

25 July 1981 '

RF Wye, Esq.,

Far Eastern Department,

F CO.

1.HRK 02016

HICK

Dear RA,

Me

China/Hong Kong

Thank you for your letter of 17 June. My apologies for not replying earlier on the general point.

2.

After discussions with the solicitors whose series of authentication documents gave rise to this correspondence, we learnt that the Chinese did not, in fact, have a requirement for registration

There is of trademarks to be supported by authentication documents. therefore no need in this or similar cases for the Chinese Embassy to be involved.

3.

•

In

More generally, we see no need for use of the term "Colony" in

"Hong Kong" is sufficient. authentication documents.

In general we

Notable have for some time used "Colony" as little as possible. examples were the change from "Colonial Secretariat" and "Colonial Secretary" to "Government Secretariat" and "Chief Secretary." 1974 the standard printed forms for Crown leases were amended to give the Governor's title as "Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Hong Kong. Neyerthless, however, there are a number of documents which have continued to use "Colony" even though it is strictly unnecessary, authentication documents by Notaries Public being a case in point. We will be making efforts to continue the change of usage as we come across cases. However, we suggest that to avoid jarring Chinese sensitivities, it would be helpful if FCO departments could be reminded that notes sent to the Chinese Embassy concerning Hong Kong should take care, to avoid using the term "Colony" or including documents which use it.

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CONFIDENTIAL

14.