W(B)L 51-7433
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
10
3
Registry No.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret. XXCXCX X *Comfibieortak >Restricted XUnlassuledT
PRIVACY MARKING
DRAFT
LETTER
To:-
H. L. Lawrence-Wilson,
Type 1 +
From
26
in Novel
Telephone No. & Ext.
Esq.,
Cabinet Office
Department
tale
In Confidence
GM:
J. A. Thousa
latinel office
User
sent
10.2.69
We think that the
fourth sentée of
seală.
of the paper
42
ригорця ней
pair statement
û the content
Propage 40 of the
paper is concerned with chinese.
денелей айт
and
Think
red
mot
dis lie itin
between the leased
unde ceded areas
ท
i relevant in
This intext.
As ryands this point in the
pampen generally,
HONG KONG
Jolm
OPDO(DR)(69)1
In my letter of 5 February I undertook to write separately about the comments forwarded under cover of Thomson's letter of 28 January. Our views and proposals are set out below: the references are to paragraphs in the
attachment to that letter.
only
Paragraph 2(a): Our presence in Hong Kong is
one aspect of our interest in maintaining relations with China. There are, of course, much wider, long-term interests -and problems in maintaining
satisfactory relations.
K
But
this paper is not the place to examine them; we are here
concerned only with Hong Kong's impact upon them.
•
Paragraph 2(b):e have assumed that, on a strict interpretation, our terms of reference (see para- graph 1 of the paper) do not
require us to consider the situation facing us in 1997
should the Chinese leave us in possession of Hong Kong until then. If as 1997 draws very
much nearer the Chinese have not moved against the Colony or we have not found a way of giving it up, then will be the time to consider what to do
about the situation facing us at the end of the lease, in the light of the attitude and intentions of whatever Chinese Government may then be in
power.