taken to consider the matter. After all, it was about four years after
the Labour Government recognised them that the Chinese Government
decided to send a chargé d'affaires to London. These matters want
consideration, and we will consider them.
-3 JUN 1950
WEDNESDAY 9 MAY 1973
THE LORD BROCKWAY:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether China has requested the
establishment of a diplomatic mission in Hong Kong; and, of so, what
decision has been reached.
ANSWER
(BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE, MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE)
My Lords, The Chinese Government has proposed that a representative of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be established in Hong Kong. This
proposal is still under consideration.
REFERENCES
Confidential: The Secretary of State's prepared reply to the Chinese
Flag A
Background Note on the problem
Flag B
Financial Times: 13 April 1973
Flag C
Flag D
Flag F Flag F Flag G
Transcript of Vice-Minister Ch'iao Kuan-hua's remarks: 30 March 1973
FCO Telegram No 365 to Hong Kong: 12 April 1973 Recent press reports
Mr Selwyn Lloyd's reply to Mr Younger's PQ: Hansard 6 June 1956
NOTES FOR SUPPLEMENTARIES
When did the Chinese last refer to the matter?
1. It was last raised during the visit of My Rt Hon Friend
to Peking in November 1972.
ofs-
Was it mentioned during the visit of the Chinese Vice-Minister
of Foreign Affairs in November / the visit of the Chinese
Minister of Trade in January / the visit to China of the
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in March?
2. No, My Lords.
How was the matter left?
3. My Rt Hon Friend told the Chinese Prime Minister that he
would like to think about the matter. As I have said, the
proposal is still under consideration.
Is it not reasonable that the Chinese Government should have an
official representative in Hong Kong, particularly when many
other countries have Consulates and Commissions there?
particularly when 99% of Hong Kong's population is Chinese? /
particularly since the New Territories lease will expire in 1997?
4. The House will not expect me to debate the merits of the
Chinese proposal.
We are studying it in all its aspects.
1
How are day-to-day relations between Hong Kong and China now
A
conducted? ↑ H. G's Embarry - Peking-
!5.
L
There are well-established channels of communication
Then do HMG intend to reply?
2 Mikiai Paky
"(A)
6. My Rt Hon Friend told the Chinese Prime Minister that he
would like to think about the matter and that he would get in
touch with the Chinese Foreign Minister in due course.
When is the Chinese Foreign Minister due to visit Britain?
7. The Chinese Foreign Minister has accepted My Rt Hon
Friend's invitation to visit this country. Dates remain to be
Bettled.
l this issue affect commercial relations between Britain
and China?
18.
We see no reason why it need hold up the development of
our commercial relations.
Will this 188ue affect the negotiation of an Air Services
Agreement between Britain and China?
9. We see no connection between the two subjecta.
When will negotiations on the Air Services Agreement begin?
10. The Chinese have suggested that talks should take place
in Peking at the end of May.
That about better communications between Hong Kong and China?
11. We are in favour of improved links. Cable and telephone
communications have recently been improved.
What about the future of Hong Kong?
| 12.
We and the Government of Hong Kong have every confidence
in the future of Hong Kong. We do not anticipate any change
in the foreseeable future.
/13. HISTORY OF THE REQUEST
F
2
*
HISTORY OF THE REQUEST
13. In February 1956, the Chinese Government proposed that a
representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be established
in Hong Kong. In February 1958, the then Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs told the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires that we could not agree to
the proposal. The Chinese Government revived their proposal in March
1972. My Hon Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Mr
Royle), and My Rt Hon Friend, the Secretary of State for Foreign and
Commonwealth Affairs, discussed the subject with members of the Chinese
Government during their visits to Peking in 1972. (Noventa..)
- 3-
+
Mr Wilford
Mr Goodenough
Parliamentary Unit
For!
48
A
B
LORD BROCKWAY : PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION : CHINESE OFFICIAL
REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG
1.
I submit a draft reply and draft Notes for Supplementaries.
They incorporate suggestions by the Governor of Hong Kong. The
Embassy at Peking concur. I also submit a background note on
the history of the problem and our current attitude towards it.
2. Lord Brockway's interest in the subject will have been
aroused by a number of press articles on the subject, particularly
that in the Financial Times of 13 April.
3.
The Chinese last mentioned their proposal to us officially
on 29 December, when the Chinese Ambassador referred to it during
a call on the Permanent Under-Secretary. The Permanent Under-
Secretary told the Ambassador that the Secretary of State was
giving the matter his personal consideration, but that, because
of the problems this raised for us, this consideration would have
to be long and careful. The Secretary of State intends to give
the Chinese Foreign Minister (Chi P'eng-fei) our definitive
answer when the latter visits Britain later this year. The visit
was postponed from February and new dates remain to be settled.
The Secretary of State did not think it appropriate to refer to
the subject when he met the Chinese Foreign Minister during the
Vietnam Peace Conference in Paris in February and the latter did
not bring it up. When the Secretary of State does speak to Chi
P'eng-foi, he will speak from the attached document and give Chi
/P'eng-fei
1-
CONFIDENTIAL
.
!
1
A
E
F
P'eng-fei a copy (this document is very strictly Confidential
until the Secretary of State has given it to the Chinese).
4.
Although the matter was not raised by the Chinese with
Mr Walker or Mr Heseltine during their visit to China in March,
the Chinese took advantage of the presence of British press men
in Peking to leak details of their proposal. The senior Chinese Minister
of Foreign Affairs (Ch'iao Kuan-hua) told Mr Alan Hare
and Mr Charles Smith of the Financial Times about it during a
discussion on 31 March (a transcript of the discussion has been
given to us on a confidential basis by the Financial Times).
As a result, the Secretary of State was questioned by the
Financial Times during an unattributable press briefing on
13 April. The Secretary of State said that the question of
official Chinese representation in Hong Kong had been a live one
for some time; it would need careful consideration. He did not
think, however, that the lack of a solution need hold up the
development of commercial relations between Britain and China.
Nor did he think that it would in fact have this effect. The
Financial Times published an article on the following day.
There has been some subsequent publicity including a front page
article in the South China Morning Fost, a leader in the Far
Eastern Economic Review and an article in the Economist.
The article in the South China Morning Post makes it clear that
Lord Brockway favours the Chinese proposal.
5.
The Chinese decision to leak their proposal is part of a
well-established pattern in their negotiating tactics. When the
question of Chinese official representation was a live issue in the
1950s, the Chinese used precisely the same tactics; as a result,
Parliamentary interest was aroused. Mr Selwyn Lloyd replied to
/a Parliamentary
2
-
CONFIDENTIAL
+
·
a Parliamentary Question on the subject on 6 June 1956. During
the negotiations for the exchange of Ambassadors reikiama with
China, Chou En-lai leaked details of the talks to Mr Neville
Maxwell, who subsequently published a detailed article in the
Sunday Times.
6.
The subject is of considerable delicacy. On the one hand,
we do not wish to say anything publicly which could be interpreted
by the Chinese as shutting the door in their face before the
Secretary of State has spoken to the Chinese Foreign Minister.
On the other hand, we do not wish to imply that further study of
the proposal will lead us to accept it. The reply has been
drafted with these considerations in mind.
7.
Hong Kong and Indian Ocean Department concur.
R M Evans
3 May 1973
Far Eastern Department
- 3 -
CONFIDENTIAL
L
R
++
|
+
+
T
1.vuse of Lord..
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION
for ORAL│| answer on.
Wechesday 9 May
Day we love your draft reply by 5 pm on Friday, 4 Ilay please.
Lafly Tweedsmuir's uffice 17 April
WEDNESDAY THE 9TH OF MAY
**The Lord Brockway-To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Chinn hus
requested the establishment of a diplomatic mission in Hong Kong; and,
if so, what decision has been reached.
In February 1956, the Chinese Government
proposed that a representative of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs should be established in Hong
Kong.
In February 1958, the then Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs told the Chinese Chargé
d'Affaires that we could not agree to the proposal.
The Chinese Government revived their proposal in
March 1972. My Hon Friend, the Parliamentary
Under-Secretary of State (Mr Royle), and My Rt
Hon Friend, the Secretary of State for Foreign and
Commonwealth Affairs, discussed the subject with
members of the Chinese Government during their
visit to Peking in 1972. The proposal is still
under consideration.
(1729) DL89747) 1= 12/73 0.1.3.IAL Oμ463
I
F
REFERENCES
Confidential: The Secretary of State's prepared reply to the Chinese
Flag A
Flag B
Background Note on the problem Financial Times: 13 April 1973
Flag C
Flag D
Flag E Flag F Flag G
Transcript of Vice-Minister Ch'iao Kuan-hua's remarku: 30 March 1973
FCO Telegram No 365 to Hong Kong: 12 April 1973 Recent press reports
Mr Selwyn Lloyd's reply to Mr Younger's PQ: Hansard 6 June 1956
4
:
NOTES FOR SUPPLEMENTARIES
When did the Chinese last refer to the matter?
1. It was last raised during the visit of My Rt Hon Friend
to Peking in November 1972.
Was it mentioned during the visit of the Chinese Vice-l:inister
of Foreign Affairs in November the visit of the Chinese
Minister of Trade in January / the visit to China of the
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in March?
2.
No, My Lorde.
How was the matter left?
3. My Rt Hon Friend told the Chinese Prime Minister that he
would like to think about the matter. As I have said, the
proposal is still under consideration.
Is it not reasonable that the Chinese Goverment should have an
official representative in Hong Kong, particularly when many
other countries have Consulates and Commissions there? /
particularly when 99% of Hong Kong's population is Chinese? /
particularly since the New Territories leage will expire in 1997?
Lin The House will not expect me to debate the merits of the
Chinese proposal. We are studying it in all its aspecta.
1
T
L
י
L
I
How are day-to-day relations between Hong Kong and China now
conducted?
5. There are well-established channels of communication.
When do HIG intend to reply?
6. My Rt Hon Friend told the Chinese Prime Minister that he
would like to think about the matter and that he would get in
touch with the Chinese Foreign Minister in due course,
When is the Chinese Foreign Minister due to visit Britain?
7. The Chinese Foreign Minister has accepted My Rt Hon
Friend's invitation to visit this country. Dates remain to be
settled.
Will this issue affect commercial relations between Britain
and China?
8. We see no reason why it need hold up the development of
our commercial relations.
Will this issue affect the negotiation of an Air Serviços
Agreement between ritain and China?
9. We see no connection between the two subjects.
When will negotiations on the Air Services Agreement begin?
10. The Chinese have suggested that talks should take place
in Peking at the end of May.
What about bettor communications between Hong Kong and China?
We are in favour of improved links. Cable and telephone
communications have recently been improved.
11.
What about the future of Hong Kong?
12.
We and the Government of Hong Kong have every confidence
in the future of Hong Kong. We do not anticipate any change
in the foreseeable future.
J
2 -
P
L
CONFIDENTIAL
CHINESE OFFICIAL REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG BACKGROUND
1.
There is a long history to this problem, The Nationalist Government had
an Official Commissioner in Hong Kong from 1945 to October 1949. He gave
the Government of Hong Kong a great deal of trouble by, for example,
claiming a status superior to that of the consular representatives of
other countries. 2. In February 1956 the present Chinese Government
formally proposed to our Chargé d'Affaires in Peking that they should
be allowed to establish in Hong Kong an "Office of a Commissioner of
Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China".
We told
the Chinese in February 1958 that we could not agree to this
proposal.
3. When agreement was reached on the exchange of Ambassadora in March
1972 the Chinese formally revived their 1956 proposal on Representation.
It was discussed at some length during both Mr Royle's visit to Peking
in May and the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary's visit in October.
Both Mr Royle and Sir Alec Douglas-Home told the Chinese that we could
not accept their proposal. The Chinese asked us to give further
consideration to it. The Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary agreed to do
so but he held out no hope that he would change his mind. He intends to
take the matter up with the Chinese Foreign Minister when the latter
visits Britain later this year.
4. The main reason for our dislike of the Chinese proposal is that we
believe the establishment of a representative of the Chinese Ministry of
Foreign Affairs would have a strongly adverse effect on confidence in
the future of the Colony. We do not believe that sufficient practical
benefits would accrue to justify the risk of such an appointment. There
are already a large number of Chinese Government officials in Hong Kong
(eg in the Bank of China, NCNA and the China Travel Service) who deal
very efficiently with all practical questions of commerce, culture,
information and transport.
CONFIDENTIAL
R
I
J
1
FLAG A
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↓
CONFIDENTIAL
на
Please do so
up 7
Lubiect to the Gower war's views,
Inmont that fack later
witht widicate the situatio Privatly to the Editer whom I have known for
me
ли
Mr yžíford
PS Mr Royle
Done P/A
ADB 30 IS
fo
CHINESE "REPRESENTATIVE" IN HONG KONG
BR.
1. Mr Royle suggested on Hong Kong telegram No 445 that it
might be indicated privately to the editor of the South China
Morning Fost that the paper has got his views on the question
of a Chinese representative upside down.
2 =
The trouble with telling newspaper men what Ministerial
views are not, is that this can indicate by elimination what
they really are. At this stage when we have not replied to
the Chinese Government, I think it might be unwise to correct
Sommal this report in any formedr way.
3. I therefore recommend that when I am in Hong Kong next
week, I should have a word with the Governor and suggest that,
if a convenient opportunity arises, he might suggest to a
suitable audience that Ministerial views are by no means as
decided as was suggested in the press.
2 May 1973
cc:-
Sir D Watson
Mr Evans (FED)
DCSL-
A C Stuart
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept
I take it would
a
food rom
M. Stuart to disar of tactics with the
fr
gov. for washing this problem. Paradoxically pubdaty
new kecent weeks hoo helped vatter than hindered
my wew
It has been much laro anbarrang
than me might hause Hought
CONFIDENTIAL
Kunhilfer 3% Kumholfow
IMMEDIATE CYPHER CAT A GFS 30
CONFIDENTIAL
For 3/307/1
FM PEKING Ø2542%Z
CONFIDENTIAL
/1973
TOP CORY
TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELNO 540 OF 2 MAY INFO IMMEDIATE GOVERNOR HONG KONG
(PERSONAL),
ALY
YOUR TEWPO 425 TO HONG KONG: CHINESE REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG,
1. I AGREE WITH THE DRAFT ANSWER AND NOTES FOR SUPPLEMENTARIES.
MORGAN
FILES
FED
HKIOD
PUSD
SIR E NORRIS
MR WILFORD
CONFIDENTIAL
IMMEDIATE
CYPHER/CAT A
GPS 250
FM HONG KONG #20850Z
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
1973
FEH
3/302/1
TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELNO 475 OF 2 MAY/INFO PRIORITY PEKING,
YOUR TELNO 425 AND PEKING TELEGRAM TO YOU NUMBER 546 CHINESE
REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG.
I AGREE WITH THE GENERAL LINE OF THE PROPOSED ANSWER AND I
CONSIDER THAT THE NOTES FOR SUPPLEMENTARIES COVER ALL THE NECESSARY
POINTS. I HAVE A FEW MINOR COMMENTS TO OFFER:
(1) I SUGGEST THAT THE WORDS QUOTE IN THE PRESENT CLIMATE OF
RELATIONS UNQUOTE AT THE END OF THE SECOND SENTENCE OF THE
SUBSTANTIVE ANSWER SHOULD BE OMITTED: ALTHOUGH FACTUALLY CORRECT THEY
SEEM TO ME TO INVITE THE ENQUIRY WHY, NOW THAT RELATIONS HAVE EVIDENTLY
IMPROVED, WE ARE DELAYING ACCEPTANCE OF THE RENEWED CHINESE REQUEST,
(2) I THINK THE WORD QUOTE RAISED UNQUOTE WOULD BE BETTER THAN
QUOTE DISCUSSED UNQUOTE IN THE FIRST SENTENCE OF THE FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY
ANSWER.
(3) I SUGGEST THAT THE WORDS QUOTE BETWEEN THE TWO GOVERNMENTS
UNQUOTE IN THE PROPOSED ANSWER TO THE THIRD SUPPLEMENTARY SHOULD
BE REPLACED BY QUOTE ON SUCH MATTERS UNQUOTE. THE C.P.G. MAINTAINS
THAT WE ARE NOT A GOVERNMENT' BUT AN 'AUTHORITY', I SEE NO NEED TO
OFFEND THEM ON THIS SEMANTIC ISSUE ON SUCH A PUBLIC, AND NO DOUBT
MUCH-PUBLICISED OCCASION.
(4) THE SIXTH SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION MIGHT PERHAPS BE EXPANDED TO
EMBRACE SINO-BRITISH TRADE AND IF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY SINO-HONG
KONG RELATIONS, AS WELL AS AN AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
FED
HKIOD
PUSD
SIR E NORRIS
MR WILFORD
CONFIDENTIAL
کر رہا
520
IMMEDIATE
CYPHER/CAT A
+
CONFIDENTIAL
гонорарка
(FE)
FM F C 0 8115J0Z
CONFIDENTIAL.
TO IMMEDIATE GOVERNOR HONG KONG (PERSONAL) TELEGRAM NUMBER 425 OF 1
AY1?3 TO PEKING.
34
MY TELEGRAM NO 388 : CILHESE REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG.
THE FOLLOWING IS OUR DRAFT ANSWER TO LORD BROCKWAY'S PARLIAMENTARY
QUESTION, TOCETHER WITH DRAFT NOTES FOR SUPPLEMENTARIES. GRATEFUL FOR
YOUR COMMENTS BY 1200Z ON 3 MAY.
ANSWER: **IN FEBRUARY 1956, THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED THAT A
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED
IN HONG KONG. IN FEBRUARY 1950, THE THEN SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN
AFFAIRS TOLD THE CHINESE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES THAT
WE COULD NOT AGREE TO THE APPOINTMENT IN THE PRESENT CLIMATE OF
RELATIONS. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT REVIVED THEIR PROPOSAL IN MARCH 1972,
MY HON FRIEND, THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE (MR ROYLE),
AND MY RT HON FRIEND, THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN
AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, DISCUSSED THE SUBJECT WITH MEMBERS OF THE
CHINESE GOVERNMENT DURING THEIR VISITS TO PEKING IN 1972. THE
PROPOSAL IS STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION?".
NOTES FOR SUPPLEMENTARIES
WHEN DID THE CHINESE LAST REFER TO THE MATTER?
IT WAS LAST DISCUSSED DURING THE VISIT OF MY RT HON FRIEND TO PEKING IN
NOVEMBER 1972. WAS IT PENTIONED DURING THE VISIT OF THE CHINESE
VICE-M1||STER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN NOVEMBER/ THE VISIT OF THE CHINESE
MINISTER OF TRADE IN JANUARY/ THE VISIT TO CHINA OF THE SECRETARY OF
STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY IN MARCH?
NO.
CONFIDENTI AL
/HOW
HOW WAS THE MATTER LEFT?
CONFIDENTIAL
MY RT HON FRIEND TOLD THE CHINESE PRIME MINISTER THAT HE WOULD
LIKE TO THINK ABOUT THE MATTER. AS I HAVE SAID, THE PROPOSAL 15 STILL
UNDER CONSIDERATION.
IS IT NOT REASONABLE THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE AN
OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE IN HONG KONG, PARTICULARLY WHEN MANY OTHER
COUNTRIES HAVE CONSULATES AND COMMISSIONS THERE? / PARTICULARLY WHEN
99 PERCENT OF HONG KONG'S POPULATION IS CHINESE? / PARTICULARLY
SINCE THE NEW TERRITORIES LEASE WILL EXPIRE IN 1997?
THE HOUSE WILL NOT EXPECT ME TO DEBATE THE MERITS OF THE CHINESE
PROPOSAL. WE ARE STUDYING IT IN ALL ITS ASPECTS.
HOW ARE DAY-TO-DAY RELATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA NOW
CONDUCTED?
THERE ARE WELL-ESTABLISHED CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN
THE TWO GOVERNMENTS.
WHEN DO HMG INTEND TO REPLY?
MY RT KON FRIEND TOLD THE CHINESE PRIME MINISTER THAT HE WOULD
LIKE TO THINK ABOUT THE MATTER AND THAT HE WOULD GET IN TOUCH WITH
THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER IN DUE COURSE.
WIEN IS THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER DUE TO VISIT BRITAIN?
THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER HAS ACCEPTED MY RT HON FRIEND'S
INVITATION TO VISIT THIS COUNTRY, DATES REMAIN TO BE SETTLED.
WILL THIS ISSUE AFFECT THE NEGOTIATION OF AN AIR SERVICES
AGREEMENT BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA?
WE SEE NO CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TWO SUBJECTS,
WHEN WILL NEGOTIATIONS ON THE AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT BEGIN?
-2-
THE CHINESE
CONFIDENTIAL
·
CONFIDENTIAL
THE CHINESE HAVE SUGGESTED THAT TALKS SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN PEKING
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