TNAG-1037-FCO40-1287-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 18

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ANNEX C

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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 Murray MacLehose, the Governor of

Hong Kong, in March (1979) 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. Vice 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. The Chinese Government considers as unnecessary and

inappropriate 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 Government urges the

British side to desist from taking the proposed actions, for the

repercussions therefrom 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 British side and

soliciting our opinion. Now we have sincerely and frankly stated

This will avoid misunder- the opinion of the Chinese Government.

The Chinese side

standing and serve to strengthen our cooperation.

hopes that our two sides will continue to make efforts to further

improve our already good relations. Your Excellency is requested

to convey to the British Government the above position of the

Chinese Government.

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