TNAG-1624-FCO40-2238-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-China-1987 — Page 13

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Mr Thomas

Claims Dept

CHINA DISTRIBUTION:

CONFIDENTIAL

ORDER-IN-COUNCIL

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3 ONO 1987

239

1.

Thank you for your minute of 16 November. Our main concern lies with the definition of "China" for the purposes of this Order. We are content that Mr Grainger's revision to the 1980 definition "the territory..." is not a breach of our 1972 undertakings to the PRC over the status of Taiwan.

2.

The

The definition at the moment would however appear to exclude Tibet. HMG recognises only Chinese suzerainty over Tibet, not sovereignty, which presumably means that we should not regard Tibet as territory controlled by the PRC. I understand that the exclusion of Tibet would not necessarily be unwelcome to you. We recently submitted to the Secretary of State recommending that we should drop suzerainty and tacitly acknowledge Chinese sovereignty. Secretary of State accepted the arguments in favour of the change, but felt that the time was not right. Thus, it is likely that in the future we shall recognise Chinese sovereignty over Tibet, and Tibet will be included within the definition of "territory" for the purposes of the Order. This need not be an objection to the Order as drafted, but if we are right on this point, a note should be made of the possible complication.

Paul Dinard

Paul Dimond

Far Eastern Department K266

270 2958

CC: Mr Lavers, HKD

Dr J Hoare, Research D

Mr Griffiths, Finance D

Mr Grainger, Legal Advisers

23 November 1987

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CONFIDENTIAL

Mr Mom's

N24111 Mr Footman

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