TO IMMEDIATE GOVERNOR HONG KONG TEL NO 154 OF 9 FEBRUARY 1973 INFO
PRIORITY PEKING
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR,
YOUR TELEGRAMS NOS 148 AND 156: CHINESE REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG.
1. IF PRESSURE BUILDS UP ON THIS STORY, IT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO
MAINTAIN THE LINE CONTAINED IN YOUR PARAGRAPH 2. IT HAS THEREFORE BEEN
AGREED, SUBJECT TO YOUR VIEWS, THAT IN RESPONSE TO FURTHER QUESTIONING
NEWS DEPARTMENT AND GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES SHOULD TAKE THE
FOLLOWING LINE AS APPROPRIATE:
ON THE RECORD: IT IS NO SECRET THAT THE QUESTION OF CHINESE
REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF EXCHANGES
BETWEEN THE CHINESE AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS FROM TIME TO TIME,
THERE MAY VERY WELL BE FURTHER EXCHANGES IN THE FUTURE.
BACKGROUND 1
A) THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT FIRST RAISED THE QUESTION OF OFFICIAL
REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG IN 1956( AS WAS MENTIONED IN AN ARTICLE IN
CHINA QUARTERLY IN SEPTEMBER 1972).
B) SEVERAL OFFICIAL CHINESE AGENCIES HAVE OFFICES IN HONG KONG AND HAVE
A WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNMENT, EG THE NEW CHINA NEWS
AGENCY, THE BANK OF CHINA, THE CHINA INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SERVICE (WHICH
ISSUES VISAS) AND THE CHINESE STATE SHIPPING CORPORATION,
2. WE REALISE THAT THE REFERENCE TO FURTHER EXCHANGES IN THE FUT- URE''
MAY WELL LEAD TO FURTHER QUESTIONING, HOWEVER, WE MUST HAVE A RESPONSE
TO THE QUESTION 'WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TO THE CHINESE
PROPOSAL FOR IMPROVED REPRESENTATION?''
3. WE SHALL SHORTLY BE TELEGRAPHING AGAIN ON THE SUBSTANCE.
DOUGLAS-HOME
FILES
FED
HKI OD
NEWS DEPT 'SIR E NORRIS MR WILFORD
SECRET
187
PRIORITY
CYPHER/CAT A
FMM HONG KONG 190428Z
SECRET
SECRET
TO PRIORITY FCO TELNO 164 OF 18TH FEBRUARY, 1973. INFO ROUTINE
PEKING.
YOUR TELNO 154: RESIDENCE FOR A CHINESE REPRESENTATIVE IN HONG KONG,
I AGREE, BUT SUGGEST ONLY USE LAST SENTENCE OF SECOND PARA,
IF PRESSED AND IN ANSWER TO QUESTION.
2. BUT THE STORY SEEMS TO BE DEAD. IT RELATED TO THE TWO
FORMER CHINESE MARITIME CUSTOMS HOUSES AT MAGAZINE CAP. SINCE THE
DEPARTURE OF THE LAST COMMISSIONER IN 1950 THEY HAVE OFTEN BEEN
VACANT AND GENERALLY LITTLE USED AND WERE BECOMING DILAPIDATED.
ABOUT 15 MONTHS AGO RENOVATION STARTED AND IS NOW MEARING COMPLETION
WE ARE INCLINED TO CONNECT THIS (A) WITH THE IMPENDING DEMOLITION AND
REDEVELOPMENT OF FELIX VILLAS, WHERE SOME OF THE COMMERCIAL HIERARCHY
LIVED AND PREVIOUSLY TRANSIENTS WERE HOUSED,
AND WHICH WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR A YEAR OR TWO: (D) WITH THE
INCREASING NUMBERAND SENIORITY OF CPGDELEGATIONS WHICH VISIT
HONG KONG: (C) WITH PRUDENT MANAGEMENT OF THESE VERY FIND PROPERTIES.
WHICH ARE STILL UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE COMMERCIAL SECTION OF THELOCAL
HIERARCHY.
3. I THINK THE DECISION TO RENOVATE PROBABLY PREDATED THAT TO PRESS FOR
REPRESENTATION AND IS UNCONNECTED WITH IT. ALL THE SAME IF THEY HAD A
FORMAL REPRESENTATIVE HERE, I SUPPOSE IT IS POSSIBLE HE MIGHT USE ONE OF
THESE HOUSES INSPITE OF THEIR BURGEOIS SURROUNDINGS AND HISTORICAL
CONNECTION WITH UNEQUAL TREATIES.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
FED
HKIOD
NEWS D
SIR E NORRIS
MR WILFORD
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]
SECRET
SECRET.
Reference...
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Please destroy the earlier version of this minute
which was sent to you yesterday. This revised version
takes into account the views of Hong Kong and Indian
Ocean Department.
8 February 1973
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Mr Leahy
Private Secretary
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CHINESE REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG
Hong Kong telegram no 148 reports that two non-communist
newspapers have stated that China intends to station an official
in Hong Kong to deal with foreign affairs affecting Britain, China and
Hong Kong. Because the Hong Kong Government Information Services were
asked whether an approach had been made to the Hong Kong Government,
they have felt able to reply, on the record, "No". This is, however,
a disingenuous line and one which cannot be held for very long; we
must therefore have a form of words ready for use both in Hong Kong
and here should the story develop, as it seems likely to do.
2.
Ministers have yet to decide what the Secretary of State should
say to Chi P'eng-fei about the Chinese proposal for the establishment
of an official representative in Hong Kong. (Far Eastern Department
are submitting separately on this.) It is therefore important
whatever we say to correspondents is neutral. I therefore suggest
that we employ the following line in answer to queations:
On the record:
It is no secret that the question of Chinese
representation in long Kong has been the subject
of exchanges between the Chinese and British
Governments from time to time. There may very well be
further exchanges in the future.
Background:
(a) The Chinese Government first raised the
question of improved representation in Hong Kong in
1956 (as was mentioned in an article in China
Quarterly in September 1972).
3.
(b)
Several official Chinese agencies have offices
in Hong Kong and have a working relationship with the
government, e.g. the Now China News Agency, the Bank of
China, the China International Travel Service (which issues
visas) and the Chinese state shipping corporation.
Far Eastern Department and Hong Kong and Indian Ocean
Department agree.
We shall need to telegraph the agreed line
to liong Kong whether or not they get further enquiries.
7 February 1973
Jole weait
J G B Weait
News Department
CC
Sir E Norris
Mr Evans FED
Mr Stuart UK & IOD
Mr Leahy
Private Secretary
SECRET.
CHINESE REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG
15
12/21/1
26
16A
Hong Kong telegram no 148 reports that two non-communist newspapers have
stated that China intends to station an official in Hong Kong to deal
with foreign affairs affecting Britain, China and Hong Kong. Because the
Hong Kong Government Information Services were asked whether an approach
had been made to the Hong Kong Government, they have felt able to reply,
on the record, "No". This is, however a disingenuous line and one which
cannot be held for very long; we must therefore have a form of words
ready for use both in Hong Kong and here should the story develop, as it
seems likely to do.
2.
Ministers have yet to decide what the Secretary of State should say to
Chi P'eng-fei about the Chinese proposal for the establishment of an
official representative in Hong Kong. (Far Eastern Department are
submitting separately on this.) It is therefore important whatever we
say to correspondents is neutral. I therefore suggest that we employ the
following line in answer to questions:
Mor Hervey
メ
Yes. A Mvise has circulated
On the record:
It is no secret that the question of Chinese
representation in Hong Kong has been the subject
of exchanges between the Chinese and British
Governments from time to time. These exchanges
are continuing.
Background:
(a) The Chinese Government first raised the question of improved
representation in Hong Kong in 1956 (as was mentioned in an article in
China
Quarterly in September 1972).
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(b) Several official Chinese agencies have offices in Hong Kong and have
a working relationship with the government, e.g. the New China News
Agency, the Bank of China, the China International Travel Service (which
issues visas) and the Chinese state shipping corporation.
Far Eastern Department agree. We shall need to telegraph
the agreed line to Hong Kong whether or not they get further
enquiries.
3.
7 February 1973
co
Sir E Norris
Mr Evans FED Mr Stewart
JGB Weait News Department
IMMEDIATE
CYPHER/CAT A
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CONFIDENTIAL
空
To
FM HONG KONG Ø80858Z
CONFIDENTIAL
TO IMMEDIATE F C O TELNO 156 OF 8TH FEBRUARY, 1973. INFO PRIORITY
PEKING.
一回
MY TELEGRAM NUMBER 148: CHINESE REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG.
TODAY'S SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST PICKING UP STORY
REPORTED IN MY REFERENCE TELEGRAM, STATES THAT ''LEFT-WING SOURCES''
HAD ''FLATLY DISMISSED AS NONSENSE' SUGGESTIONS THAT THE HOUSE
IN QUESTION MIGHT BE USED AS THE RESIDENCE OF A CHINESE
FOREIGN MINISTRY REPRESENTATIVE.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
'REPEATED AS REQUESTED
FO
HKIOD
MR WILFORD
SIR E. NORRIS
CONFIDENTIAL
+
MADIATE
CYPHER/CAT A
FM HONG KONG 070750Z
SECRET
SECRET
1973
TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELNO 148 OF 7 FEBRUARY/INFO PRIORITY PEKING.
MY DESPATCH NUMBER 14 OF 11 JANUARY: CHINESE REPRESENTATION IN
HONG KONG.
TWO NON-COMMUNIST LOCAL NEWSPAPERS, SING TAO JIH PAO AND FAI PAO,
REPORTED PROMINENTLY YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) THAT CHINA INTENDS
TO STATION AN OFFICIAL IN HONG KONG TO DEAL WITH FOREIGN AFFAIRS
AFFECTING BRITAIN, CHINA AND HONG KONG, BOTH PAPERS CARRIED PHOTOGRAPHS
OF A HOUSE IN MAGAZINE GAP WHICH, THEY SAY, WILL BE USED
BY THE NEW REPRESENTATIVE.
+
2. AS A RSULT OF THESE REPORTS THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES HAVE
RECEIVED QUESTIONS FROM ONE OTHER NEWSPAPER, ASKING FOR CONFIRMATION. IN
REPLY TO THE QUESTION: QUOTE HAS THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT APPLIED TO THE
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO ESTABLISH A
FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICE IN HONG KONG? UNQUOTE THE GIS HAVE SAID
QUOTE NO UNQUOTE.
3. IF THERE ARE FURTHER QUESTIONS REFERRING TO DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN
PEKING AND LONDON ON THIS SUBJECT WE WILL CONSULT YOU BEFORE
REPLYING.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
FED HKI OD
MR WILFORD
4
SECRET
(Submission
below)
ThEO
The subkutin
has soo howard
1/
Mr Evans
SECRET
Reference
Fal
Sis Evic Noins!
(14
CHINESE REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG / Enici oda.
1. Sir Murray MacLehose's underlying objection to your original draft
was that, by comparing it with what has been said to the Chinese in the
past, they might conclude that it was only a wayside station and that
next time they pressed we would retreat a little more to the point where
we would agree to a repre- sentative within the foreseeable future. He
therefore suggested the deletion of the last 3 sentences of your draft.
But we agreed that this might have the opposite effect to that intended.
Wha
I
2. de spoke to Sir Eris Norris the other day, wondered whether the
Governor's point might be met by leaving your last paragraph more or
less as it was but by inserting in the body of the Speaking Note a
passage to make it clear that this was a definitive and not a passing
judgement. At the same time we could make it plain that our judgement
that the appointment of a representative would harm confidence, was not
founded on distrust of the Chinese but on the logic of the situation and
the probable reaction to such an appointment both inside and outside
Hong Kong.
3. You are the expert on the reactions of the Chinese and will know
better than I whether it would be helpful to spell this last point out.
But if we could insert something on the lines of the attached passage,
between the paragraph ending "... disturb the situation there" and the
one beginning "I would therefore ask you...
..", this would make the point and meet Sir Murray MacLehose's
preoccupation while at the same time making it possible to retain the
last paragraph of your original draft in the formal Speaking Note.
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6 February 1973
A C Stuart
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department
But,
1. It would certainly be better in logic to add a passage of the kind
suggested by Mr Stuart. politically speaking, I just do not think it is
possible for the Secretary of State to tell Chi P'eng-fei that the
appointment of an official Chinese representative would undermine the
confidence on which the stability of Hong Kong depends.
I should therefore prefer this point to be made by implication in
whatever the Secretary of State may say on the record.
/2.
DO897261 230443 300M 571 ON 160A
SECRET
4
SECRET
2. As you will see, I have not dealt in my submission with the question
of whether the subject should be put to DOP. My own view on this is that
it ought to go to DOP if the Secretary of State decides in favour of any
course other than courses (a), (b) and (f).
3. I have just seen Hong Kong telegram No 148 (of which Í attach an
advance copy). I am consulting News Department urgently about the line
which they might take if they receive enquiries. The answer given by the
Government Information Services in Hong Kong is strictly speaking true;
but it contains an element of suggestio falsi. We shall need to watch
the publicity aspect with great care during the period between now and
the date of Chi P'eng-fei's arrival in London.
7 February 1973
R.M.Erons
RM Evans
Far Eastern Department
RE.
9/2
SECRET
મ.
00 FCO
PP I NG
GPS 100
CYPHER/CAT A
FM HONG KONG £767532
SECRET
SCOTET
ADVANCE COPY
IMMEDIATE
Mr Wilfred And FED Hal HK & I Y
TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELNO 148 OF 7 FEBRUARY INFO PRIORITY PEKING.
MY DESPATCH NUMBER 14 OF 11 JANUARY: CHINESE REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG
TWO NON-COMMUNIST LOCAL NEWSPAPERS, SING TAO JIH PAO AND FAI PAO,
REPORTED PROMINENTLY YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) THAT CHINA INTENDS TQ STATION
AN OFFICIAL IN HONG KONG TO DEAL WITH FOREIGN AFFAIRS AFFECTING BRITAIN,
CHINA AND HONG KONG, BOTH PAPERS CARRIED PHOTOGRAPHS OF A HOUSE IN
MAGAZINE GAP WHICH, THEY GAY, WILL BE USED
BY THE NEW REPRESENTATIVE.
2. AS 'A RSULT OF THESE REPORTS THE COVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES HAVE
RECEIVED QUESTIONS FROM ONE OTHER NEWSPAPER, ASKING FOR CONFIRMATION, IN
REPLY TO THE QUESTION: QUOTE HAS THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT APPLIED TO THE
HONG KONG COVERNMENT TO ESTABLISH A FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICE IN HONG KONG?
UNQUOTE THE GIS HAVE SAID QUOTE NO DNQUOTE.
3. IF THERE ARE FURTHER QUESTIONS REFERRING TO DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN
PEKING AND LONDON ON THIS SUBJECT WE WILL CONSULT YOU BEFORE REPLYING.
MACLEHOSE
KNNN
SENT AT 07/07552 RD
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Sir Eric Norris
Mr. Evanz (PED)
This se
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CHINESE REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG
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A. B
1. The Chinese Foreign Minister and the Chinese Prime Minister
both broached this subject with the Secretary of State during
his visit to Peking last autumn. On 1 November, the Secretary
of State told Chou Eh-lai that he would like to think about the
matter and that he would get in touch with Chi P'eng-fei in due
course. Chi Peng-fei is bound to bring the subject up during his visit
to this country from 22 February to 25 February. should the Secretary of
State respond?
Background
2.
How
The Chinese have proposed that a representative of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Peking should be established in
Hong Kong. They first made this proposal in 1956.
It was
rejected by Mr Selwyn Lloyd in 1958. Chou En-lai brought it up
again with Mr Denson in February 1971. It has since been
pursued by Chang Wen-chin with Sir John Addis (in March 1972);
by Ch'iao Kuan-hua with Mr Royle (in May 1972); and by Chi
A, B P'eng-fei and Chou in-lai with the Secretary of State (in October
and November 1972). The history of the case is set out in
detail in paragraphs 2 to 6 of Sir John Addis's despatch of
18 December 1972.
Argument
3. In May 1972, Mr koyle told Ch'iao Kuan-hua that we could
not accept the Chinese proposal. The Secretary of State maintained this
refusal in the autumn (though he undertook to think the matter over).
The course which will be open to the
1
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Mr Ogres
SECRET
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PUS: M
13
Secretary of State when he meets Chi P'eng-fei at the end of this month
are:
(a)
(b)
To maintain our refusal to consider the Chinese proposal;
To say that we have given very careful consideration
to the Chinese proposal, but that we do not think the time is ripe for
the Chinese to pursue it;
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(c)
(a)
(e)
(1)
L
To say that we might be prepared to consider the Chinese proposal on
condition that the Chinese would be prepared to designate their official
representative as a Consul General;
To say that we are prepared to explore the implications of the Chinese
proposal in confidential bilateral discussions;
To accept the Chinese proposal in principle as it stands;
and
To say that we need further time to consider the Chinese
proposal.
The course favoured by Sir Murray MacLehose is course
(a). His essential point is that he sees "the seeds of conflict and
confrontation" in acceptance of the Chinese proposal (paragraph 13 (c)
of his despatch of 11 January 1973). Sir John Addis favours course (d).
The nub of his argument is that rejection of the Chinese proposal would
entail "a steady deterioration in bilateral relations on all fronts,
political as well as commercial" (paragraph 7 of his despatch of
18 December). The principal argument for and against each of the courses
are set out in a paper recently prepared by the Department.
A
Z
- 2 -
SECRET
15.
F
G,
, H
H
H
H
5.
In discussion with you, Mr Royle agreed that we should recommend course
(b) to the Secretary of State. With this in
mind, we drafted a form of words for the Secretary of State to
use in speaking to Chi P'eng-fei. We put this form of words to Sir
Murray MacLehose and Sir John Addis, inviting their comments (FCO
telegram No 116 to Hong Kong). It is clear from their replies that Sir
Murray MacLehose still favours course (a) (Hong Kong telegrams No 13 and
No 142) and Sir John Addis favours course (d), perhaps to some extent
modified (Peking
telegram No 109). These attitudes are not reconcilable.
6. I believe that our purpose should be to get the Chinese to desist
from pressing their proposal for a period of years in the manner which
is least likely to harm Anglo-Chinese relations. I believe that course
(b) is the course which gives us the best chance of achieving this
purpose. It would be less likely to damage Anglo-Chinese relations than
course (a); and I do not believe (pace Sir Murray MacLehose) that it
need
entail us in a more or less continuing dialogue with the Chinese (Hong
Kong telegram No 142, paragraph 2). In order, however, to reduce the
risk of encouraging the Chinese to
return to the charge, I have substituted fresh language for
the four final sentences in the form of words which we
telegraphed to Sir Murray MacLehose and Sir John Addis. As
you will see, I have made the concluding passage shorter; to compensate,
however, I have added two sentences for the
Secretary of State to use if pressed. I have also adopted the amendment
suggested by Sir John Addis (Peking telegram No 109,
paragraph 3).
-3-
SECRET
17.
+
1
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7.
There are also two tactical problems:
(a)
Ought the Secretary of State to bring up the subject
or to leave the running to Chi Peng-fei;
(b)
Ought the Secretary of State to give Chi P'eng-fei
anything in writing.
So far as (a) is concerned, it might be better for the
Secretary of State to broach the subject himself. He has under-
taken to get in touch with Chi P'eng-fei; and it is certain that
Chi P'eng-fei will bring the subject up if he does not do this
himself. As regards (b), there is a strong case for the Secretary of
State to give Chi P'eng-fei something in writing.
The Chinese set great store by exact forms of words; and there
is a danger that the nuances of what the Secretary of State has
to say will be lost during interpretation.
Recommendation
B.
Against this background, my recommendations are that:
(a) The Secretary of State should himself broach the subject
(b)
(a)
with Chi P'eng-fei;
He should speak in the terms of the form of words
attached to this submission; and
He should give Chi P'eng-fei a copy of this form of words.
9. Hong Kong and Indian Ocean Department concur.
6 February 1973
CC
Mr Logan✔
Sir Duncan Watson (with attachments)
Mr Stuart Mr Hervey
4
GLORAT
R M Evans
Far Eastern Department
H
·
:
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
"I discussed this subject with you and with the
Prime Minister when I visited China last autumn. I
told the Prime Minister on 1 November that I would
like to think about the matter and I would get in
touch with you in due course.
"The positions of our two Governments on the
status of Hong Kong are necessarily differant.
But,
as I see it, we have two important interests in
common. These are to preserve the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong
and to preserve the relation-
ship which has developed between our two countries.
So far as Hong Kong is concerned, stability and
prosperity depend on confidence. Confidence is a
tender plant: it grows only slowly, but can wilt very
quickly. If, as I belive, we share an interest in
the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, it follows that we also share
an interest in the preservation of
confidence there.
"As far as relations between Britain and China
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.