Mr. J.S. Bennett
17
Your minute of 24 May about "an indissoluble link" between Gibraltar and Britain,
2.
I am inclined to think that there could be unfortunate repercussions for us in Hong Kong if an Act is introduced of the kind suggested governing the status of Gibraltar. But I do not find it easy to assess how serious they might be.
3. The great majority of Chinese in Hong Kong would admittedly be apathetic on the issue involved. Of the better informed Chinese who might take an interest in it, a few would be aware of the dangers for Hong Kong of pressing for a similar provision. However, there would be still some (supported most likely by British expatriate elements) who would press for the same treatment for the Colony: through the press and various quase political organisations they would pursue their aims with wide publicity both in Hong Kong and here. A public campaign of this nature could seriously prejudice relations with China and affect China's attitude to our continuing control over the Colony; opposition to it would provide an effective rallying point for the hard-core communist supporters in Hong Kong.
4. It would be open to us to argue that such a provision would be unsuitable for Hong Kong given the fact that a large part of the territory is held on lease from China, but we might find it difficult to counter the argument that it could at least be applied to the ceded portions.
R. 313.
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(W.S. Carter) 4 June, 1968
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