TNAG-1037-FCO40-1287-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 67

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Governor of Hong Kong, who was paying a private visit to Peking.

This was followed in February 1956 by a formal request to the

British Chargé d'Affaires in Peking for an 'Office of a Commissioner

for Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China' in Hong

Kong. It was decided at the time to give no definitive reply.

In 1957, Zhou reverted to the subject during visits by a Labour MP,

Mr Warbey, and by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Board

of Trade, Mr Erroll, and in 1958 discussed it with Mr Harold Wilson.

5. In February 1958, the Secretary of State, Mr Selwyn Lloyd,

formally turned down these requests at a meeting with the

Chinese Chargé d'Affaires, Huan Xiang.

Further Approaches: 1971-1976

6.

The matter did not arise again until early 1971 when the

Chinese took the opportunity of raising it during talks on the

exchange of Ambassadors. This was taken up on 4 further occasions

before the visit of Foreign Minister. Ji Pengfei to London in

June 1973:

a) Zhou Enlai with Chargé d'Affaires, Mr Denson (February 1971);

b) Zhang Wenjin, Head of West European Department, MFA

with Sir John Addis (March 1972);

c) Qiao Guanhua, Deputy Foreign Minister, with Mr Royle,

Parliamentary Under-Secretary (May 1972);

d) Zhou Enlai and Ji Pengfei with Sir Alec Douglas-Home

(October-November 1972).

In each instance the Chinese were told that HMG could not at

present accede to the request.

7. During talks with the then Secretary of State in June 1973,

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/Ji Pengfei