TNAG-1294-FCO40-1649-Visits-by-members-of-the-Office-of-the-Unofficial-Members-of-1984 — Page 22

(D)

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In the unlikely event that the Chinese put on record their own

view of Hong Kong's present status, the delegation should be

ready to counter this. The rebuttal should be in a low key and

should take the same form (e.g. an oral statement or a

formally circulated document) as the Chinese claim. It should

be delivered only after consulation with the FCO. The full

wording of the standard statement of rebuttal is as follows:

"With reference to the statement made by the Chinese

Representative, the UK Representative wishes to inform the meeting that his Government's views on this question were

clearly stated in the letter addressed by Her Majesty's

Representative in New York to the Secretary-General of the

United Nations on 14 December 1972, which reads as follows:

'I have the honour to refer to General Assembly Resolution 2906

(XXXVIII) of 2 November 1972 and in particular to paragraph 3, which approved the report of the Special Committee on the situation with regard to the implementation of the declaration on the granting of independence to colonial ccountries and peoples covering its work during 1972. My Government have

asked me to inform your Excellency that, in view of paragraph

73 of Chapter 1 of the Report of the Special Committee (A/8723

(Part 1), they have decided that no useful practical purpose

would be served by continuing to transmit information on Hong Kong undere Article 73 of the United Nations Charter. My

Government have also asked me to state that the action of the

General Assembly in no way affects the legal status of Hong Kong. The views of my Government about this status are well known. They are unable to accept any differing views which have been expressed or may hereafter be expressed by other

governments'

•

"

In most circumstances it is likely to be unnecessary to quote

the terms of the letter.

(E)

If there are any other doubts or problems,

or problems, the delegation should formally reserve their position and seek immediate guidance from the FCO, repeating any telegram to Peking and

Hong Kong.

/(F)

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