ÉCRET
INWARD TELEGRAM
GUARD
TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES
FROM HONG KONG (Sir R.Black)
Simplex
D. 13th February, 1958. R. 13th
17
11
15.20 hours.
SECRET and GUARD
No. 143.
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Addressed to S. of S.
Repeated Peking No.44 (S. of S. please pass).
Yesterday Lt. Colonel Cantlie, in transit from Peking to London, asked through Lawrence Kadoorie prominent local businessman, whether he could have a special interview with me on a most important matter before his departure. I saw him this afternoon. His purpose was to describe his interview with Chou En Lai, about which you already know from Wilson's telegram to Foreign Office No.59 dated 1st February.
2.
FC.
Cantlie said he felt that I ought to know about this conversation in case there were early developments. He described Chou En Lai's reference to a 'conspiracy of certain persons in Hong Kong unknown to the British who wished to set
Chou said that this was up a 'self-governing Dominion'. encouraged by Americans and Nationalists in order that they could have a base for subversive activity against China. added that he did not wish to see any change in Hong Kong's status; he did not wish to see anything like Singapore herc
Chinese in and commented that probably about 80% of the Hong Kong did not want any change. In answer to my enquiry about whether Chou described Hong Kong as a 'Colony' when referring to its present status, Cantlie said that he did not recollect that word or any words specifically acknowledging that the Government of Hong Kong is a British Government.
*
3.
Cantlie described Chou En Lai's expressed wish to have a 'consul' in Hong Kong' and that he had raised this with the British Government two years ago, without having a reply as yet. Chou also said that he wanted a through train from
Apparently Canton to Kowloon and that Hong Kong had refused. he did not elaborate on the negotiations in connection with the proposal.
4.
Chou En Lai asked Cantlie whether he would be likely to see the Prime Minister in London and Cantlie indicated that this might be possible, although he could not say; we asked to be allowed to make a record of the conversation, however, .in case he could pass on the information.
5.
Cantlie enquired what I considered he should do now and I told him that I would of course report his conversation1
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