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[This Document is the Property of Her Britannic Majesty's Government.]

Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. May 3, 1898.

SECRET.

No. 139 M.

HONG KONG.

Extension of Boundaries.

HONG KONG.

C.O.

No. 8357, SECRET.

Memorandum by the Colonial Defence Committee.

THE Colonial Office have referred to the Colonial Defence Committee a despatch from the Foreign Office, dated the 14th April, 1898, calling for an opinion as to the exact boundary which it may be considered essential to acquire for the proper protec- tion of Hong Kong.

The despatch is printed as an Appendix to this Memorandum.

2. The Colonial Defence Committee, after full consideration of the various proposals that have been made from time to time on this subject, recommend that, to secure the proper protection of Hong Kong, the limits of the Colony should be as proposed by the Joint Naval and Military Committee in their Report XVII, dated the 13th May, 1895, viz. :-

"Western Boundary. The meridian of 114° 5′ east, including, however, the western point of Chunghue Island.

"Southern Boundary. The parallel of 22° 9′ north.

Eastern Boundary.—The meridian of 114° 20′ east to a point in latitude 22° 18′ north. Thence to a point on the parallel of 22° 22′ north, midway between Sharp Island and the mainland to the westward.

"Northern Boundary. The parallel of 22° 22′ north.

"The Hong Kong possessions also to include Gap Rock Island, on which the lighthouse to the western approach is situated."

3. The Committee also recommend that, in view of the reported cession to France of the Lei Chau Peninsula, which includes Kwang Chau Bay, capable of being made into an excellent naval base only 210 miles from Hong Kong Harbour, steps should be taken to secure a sphere of influence round the Colony, with right of eventual occupa- tion, in the same manner as has been done by Germany, with reference to Kiau Chau, in order to prevent action within territory adjacent to their leased property which might prejudicially affect it, such for instance as the erection of fortifications by China, or the concession of privileges or territorial rights to other Powers.

The Committee recommend that the boundaries of the Hong Kong sphere of influence should be as follows

A line following suitable natural features from Lamkao Bay (Deep Bay) to Mirs Bay.

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