industries from the fierce competition which Hong Kong provides,
The Future
8. The inevitable question arises as to what the future holds for Hong Kong, bearing in mind that the lease of the New Territories (which form more than three quarters of the Colony's total area) expires in 1997. It is obviously not possible to give any definitive reply to this question at the present time. Indeed, it would be a rash man who would presume to foretell the situation likely to obtain in any country some thirty years hence, It is, however, worth mentioning that Hong Kong, under British administration, provides Communist China with some 30%-40% of the latter's total earnings of foreign currencies. These earnings would be lost if the Colony were to become part of Communist China. Meanwhile, Her Majesty's Government have publicly stated that they have every intention of continuing to fulfil their responsibilities and obligations in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Department 16 July, 1969