TNAG-1235-FCO40-1548-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 81

Translation

Ta Kung Pao dated 3.2.83

(Reprint of an article by Ding Ming-nan)

An Account of British Invasion & Occupation of the Territories of Hong Kong

(Continued)

At the end of 1897, Germany took Jiao Zhao Wan by force and compelled the ging Government to take back the port on a lease of 99 years. Then Russia coercively took Lushun and Dalian on a 25-year lease. At that time, Russia and France were allies and ganged up with one another in making incursions into China. Britain also exerted pressure on the Qing Government by demanding the leasing of Weihaiwei. Having acceded to the demands of Germany and Russia, the

ing Government could not but succumb to Britain's blackmail. Yet, it begged Britain not to make other territorial claims than on Weihaiwei. This, neverthe- less, was turned down by the British envoy, Mr. C. MacDonald. In mid-March 1898, Mr. MacDonald, on learning that France had already demanded the leasing of a Chinese sea port in the south, threatened the Taungli Yamen (the Chinese Foreign Office), saying that Britain had so far refrained from making her claims though there had been an urgent need for Britain to extend its Kowloon boundaries, and that if China should yield to the demands of those countries which had no respect for its territorial integrity on the one hand, and pay no heed to nations ex- ercising restraint on the other, Britain would have to protect its own interests and demand its share of entitlements. (Note30) Under the threat of both Russia and France, the ing Government made an exchange of notes with France on April 9 and 10, giving France many privileges, including the right to lease Guangzhou Bay. Unhappy with this development, the British envoy lodged a protest at the Tsungli Yamen at once. The Ging Government could not but allow Hong Kong to extend its territories further, yet to the limit of a small piece of land only. Mr. MacDonald reported to the British Government instantly. The British Foreign Ministry then sought advice from the Colonial Office on the definite boundary needed to protect Hong Kong properly. The Admiralty advocated that apart from a massive land expansion, the outlying islands surrounding Hong Kong should be included into the leased territory so as to strengthen British influences against France. Moreover, a line should be drawn in the north stretching from Shenzhen Bay to Da Peng Bay (Mirs Bay). The demarcation line should extend to the south of Hong Kong Island to about Latitude 21 N, and from Longitude 113 47°E to 114 26'E. Britain claimed that her new territorial claims were simply intended for strengthening the defence of Hong Kong waters rather than turning Da Peng Bay into a British naval base. The First Sea Lord of Britain suggested to extend eastward beyond Longitude 114°26'E to the limit of 114°30'E so as to include the entire Da Peng Bay in a bid to strengthen Hong Kong's strategic position. (Note 31) The new demarcation would increase Hong Kong's land areas held on lease by more than ten times and its territorial waters by as many as forty to fifty times. Though unwilling to grant such a vast piece of new territory to Britain, the Tsungli Yamen finally knuckled under Mr. MacDonald's pressure. But the ging Government agreed to the plan with certain reservations: (1) In view of the prevalence of opium trafficking in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong authorities should help Chinese Customs clamp down on such activities and collect taxation; (2) Kowloon City should continue to come under the jurisdiction of China while military and civilian staff there should be retained; (3) The pier at Da Peng Bay (Mirs Bay) near Kowloon City should continue to be used by Chinese officials and the Chinese people; (4) Chinese military vessels could move about and berth freely, both in times of war and peace, at Mirs Bay and Shenzhen Bay. The British envoy agreed instantly. The Extension of Hong Kong's Territories Articles' were signed in Beijing on June 9, and became effective from July 1 for a period