TNAG-1037-FCO40-1287-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 158

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ANNEX B

DSR 11C

TEXT OF CHINESE GOVERNMENT'S REPLY ON HMG'S 1979 LAND LEASE PROPOSALS

1.

The Chinese Government's position on the question of Hong Kong is consistent and clear, and it is well known to the British Government. In a conversation with Sir Crawford

Vice-

Murray MacLehose, the Governor of Hong Kong, in March, Vice-Premier Deng Xiaoping reaffirmed that Hong Kong is part of China's territory and also pointed out that, when the time comes to deal with this problem in future, we would take into account the special circumstances in Hong Kong

and would not harm the interests of the investors. Premier Deng's remarks were a statement of the Chinese Government's position; they were of great weight and should serve to stabilise the confidence of the investors. Chinese Government considers as unnecessary and inappropria the legal steps that the British side now proposes to take regarding the term of administration of the New Territories by the Governor of Hong Kong and the question of leases for land in the New Territories. Therefore, the Chinese

The

Government urges the British side to desist from taking the proposed actions, for the repercussions there from would adversely affect the interests of both the Chinese and

British sides.

2.

We appreciate Your Excellency's communicating to the Chinese Government the ideas and intended steps of the

Now we have British side and soliciting our opinion. sincerely and frankly stated the opinion of the Chinese Government. This will avoid misunderstanding and serve

to strengthen our cooperation.

i

The Chinese side hopes tha

our two sides will continue to make efforts to further

/improve

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