FO371-46251 — Page 153

Page 153

}

COPY

Page 153

+4008/1147/1

Kpl.

12.6

Note on policy regarding the future status of Hong Kong for Mr. Poynton.

1. (a) In the course of the negotiations which preceded the abolition of extra-territoriality the Chinese made a request for the rendition of the New Territories. refused to consider this question in connection with extra-

His Majesty's Government territoriality but agreed that it might be discussed with the Chinese Government after the war. Government will then face us with the proposal that the Agreement Almost certainly the Chinese of 1898 by which we leased these territories for 99 years should be terminated and that the area should revert to Chinese sovereignty.

(b) At no time has the Chinese Government raised the question of the status of Hong Kong as a whole but it is generally recognised that their ultimate object is the "recovery" of the whole Colony which was ceded to Britain in 1841. Generalissimo in his book "China's Destiny", published in 1943 made

The it clear that Hong Kong is regarded as belonging properly to China and its recovery is merely being postponed.

2. (a) If for political reasons it were decided to agree to the terminåtion of our lease of the New Territories the following disadvantages would result.

(i) Loss of control over the main water supply of

Hong Kong at Shing-Mun.

Note.

In the event of the rendition of the New Territories it has been suggested that this problem might to some extent be met by the establishment of an Anglo-Chinese Water Board. (ii) Loss of the one suitable airfield for Hong Kong

at Kai-Tak.

Note. As in the case of the water supply it would be necessary to establish an Anglo-Chinese Joint Board for the management of this airfield if the New Territories were returned.

(iii) Dangers and difficulties resulting from a portion

of Kowloon City coming under a Chinese administra- tion with a much lower standard of public health.

Note.

Here again the remedy could only be found by the establishment of an Anglo-Chinese Joint Municipal Board.

(iv) A still greater increase in the numbers of refugees and destitutes from China attracted by the social services provided in a British Colony by a progressive Government.

Note.

ally

It has already been found practically impossible to restrict the free entry into Hong Kong of Chinese immigrants and when it was attempted was strongly resented by the Chinese Government,

(v) The most fundamental fact of all is that an

unfriendly Chinese Government in possession of the New Territories could make the retention of Hong Kong Island both unprofitable and impracticable Note. It is true of course that an unfriendly

Chinese Government could effect this in any case without the possession of the New Territories.

Page 153

3.

Page 153

Page 153