SECRET
There is no
for the livelihood of the Hong Kong Chinese. prospect of our being able to reach such a settlement with the present Chinese Government. At present our choices are limited to:
(a) holding out as best we can in the face of
implacable Chinese hostility; or
(b) evacuating the Colony (if we can) leaving cur
loyal Chinese subjects there to face the vonde- quences of their loyalty;
(c) being kicked out by force.
or
None of these solutions is what we want. We want to negotiate the future of Hong Kong in a peaceful, sensible and humane manner. An opportunity to do this perhaps by a declaration by us at the appropriate time that we are willing to discuss the peaceful transfer of sovereignty with a Chinese Government that gives satisfactory evidence of its adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter - may come suddenly and if missed may not recur. To try to ensure that we do not miss such an opportunity it is most desirable that we have a diplomatic mission in China both to warn us of opportunities as they may arise and to advise us of the Chinese personalities with whom we might be able to do business.
8. If the recommendation in paragraph 2 (a) is accepted, recommendations (b), (c) and (a) will follow automatically and need only administrative action. There remains recom- mendation (e), that we still vote for China's admission to the United Nations. The argument in support of this recommendation is contained in the first annex to this paper. The second annex deals in more detail with the position in Hong Kong.
Foreign Office, S.W.1,
4th September, 1967.
SECRET
G.B.