TNAG-2963-FCO40-4242-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General-Steering-Comm-1993 — Page 18

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What about the question of Chinese approval for the British

Consulate General and its complement of staff?

- You will recall that the Joint Declaration makes provision

for the establishment by the United Kingdom of a Consulate General in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Following agreement in principle between China and the United Kingdom during the Prime Minister's visit to Peking in

September 1991, the Sino-British Land Commission formally agreed to the granting of the Colvin House site to the United Kingdom Government for the construction of the future British

Consulate-General.

No reason to anticipate any problems in following through

with the establishment of the British Consulate General.

According to the Joint Declaration, consular missions may be

established in Hong Kong only with the approval of the Chinese

Government. Could they dictate the number of staff in the

British representation?

Not helpful to speculate about hypothetical situations; I

repeat that we do not anticipate any problem.

Chinese Government of course have a large official presence

in the UK.