TNAG-1243-FCO40-1557-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 34

THE HANKOW AGREEMENT.

BUND LICENSES.

Ch. XVII

1

March 2nd, 1927.

Dear Mr. O'Malley,

With reference to the letters exchanged to-day relative to the settlement of the future status of the British Concession at Kiukiang. I have the honour to inform you that the proper Chinese authority will confirm the existing bund frontage licences issued by the British authorities for their current period of ten years and that the said licences will continue valid pending their confirmation.

Yours very truly,

(Signed) CHEN YU-JEN,

THE HANKOW AGREEMENT.

AGREEMENT RELATIVE TO THE BRITISH CONCESSION AT Hankow, The proper British authorities will summon the Annual General Meeting of Ratepayers in accordance with the Land Regulations on March 15. The British Municipality will thereupon be dissolved and the administration of the Concession- area will be formally handed over to a new Chinese Municipality. Pending the handing over to the new Chinese Municipality on March 15, the policing of the Concession and the management of the public works and sanitation will be con- ducted by the Chinese authorities now in charge thereof.

The Nationalist Government will upon the dissolution of the British Council forthwith set up a special Chinese Municipality, modelled on that of the Special Administrative District, for the administration of the Concession-area, under Regulations which will be communicated to H.B.M. Minister by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Nationalist Government. These Regulations will remain in force until such time as arrangements have been negotiated for the amalgamation of the five Hankow Concessions and former Concessions into one unified municipal district.

Dated this 19th day of February, 1927.

(Signed) CHEN Yu-Jen,

Minister for Foreign Affairs,

Nationalist Government.

For H.B.M. Minister, (Signed) OWEN O'Malley.

AGREEMENT RELATIVE TO THE BRITISH CONCESSION AT KIUKIANG.

A settlement on similar lines to that concluded in the case of the Hankow Con- cession will immediately be made in the case of the Concession at Kiukiang

If any direct losses due to the action or culpable negligence of the agents of the Nationalist Government were suffered by British subjects during the recent distur- bances at Kiukiang, such losses will be compensated by the Nationalist Government.

Dated this 20th day of February, 1927.

(Signed) CHEN YU-JEN,

Minister for Foreign Affairs,

Nationalist Government.

For H.B.M. Minister,, (Signed) OWEN O'Malley.

EXCHANGE OF NOTES.

Hankow, February 19, 1927.

Sir, I have the honour to assure you that the British Authorities concerned will do all that lies in their power to implement and ensure the successful operation of the Agreement signed to-day relative to the British Concession-area at Hankow and that as far as the British Authorities are concerned Chinese citizens will enjoy. and be entitled to the same rights as British subjects in the said area.

I have the honour, etc.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Wuhan,

For H.B.M. Minister, (Signed) OWEN O'MALLEY.

741