a basis of what we would regard as
normality, even if we adopt the
standards of normal relations between
ourselves and other Communist
countries;
(b) the question of Hong Kong is not the
sole obstacle in the path of
establishing normal relations between
China and Britain, no matter what the
Chinese may say;
(c) at
present, the basis of Chinese
policy towards Hong Kong is to leave
it as it is, even though they regard
it as a monstrous growth on their
soil;
(a) the Chinese will continue to probe
our intentions as far as Hong Kong is
concerned and to administer pin-pricks.
(We should know soon enough, however,
if they changed their policy to one of
launching a serious attack on Hong
Kong.
(e) If in these probing exercises the
Chinese detect or are able to induee
1
a significant weakening in the British
position
-
one indication of which might
be a marked increase in the authority
and influence of the Hong Kong
Communists, they might conclude that
the time had come when they could, at
the expense of very little effort,
pinch off Hong Kong.
(f) The confrontation of 1967 was a probing
/exercise
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN