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LONG TERM STUDY: HONG KONG
A. INTRODUCTION
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An interim report (OPD(67)61) was prepared in July 1967 on the prospects for withdrawal from Hong Kong if it were suddenly forced upon us. We were further instructed (OPD(67) 20th Meeting) to examine policy towards our tenure of Hong Kong in the long
term, on the basis that we could not rely on remaining in Hong Kong on present terms until the lease of the New Territories lapsed in 1997 and should therefore consider what adaptations of its status might be possible and desirable after the conclusion of the present conflict in Viet-Nam We have interpreted our terms of reference as excluding from our consideration the situation that would face us in 1997 should we then still be in possession
of Hong Kong. This is a situation which in our view can only be usefully examined much nearer the time in the light of the attitude and intentions of whatever Chinese government may then be in power. We have also excluded detailed consideration of future Hong Kong domestic policies. As explained in paragraph 50, these policies, insofar as they are relevant to the problem of the Colony's future,
will be the subject of a separate study.
2.
A background note on Hong Kong is attached (Annex A).
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