CONFIDENTIAL
RELATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG
AND THE UNITED KINGDOM
Brief No 2
BACKGROUND
For several years past our relations with Hong Kong have
not been altogether happy. This state of affairs may be
ascribed to a number of factors:
2.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(a)
frustration caused by the realisation in Hong Kong
that despite its undoubted ability to do so the
Colony can never achieve independence,
resulting resentment at what is regarded as
interference by Britain in local affairs,
a feeling that Britain has little sincere concern
for Hong Kong's interests and indeed finds the
Colony rather an embarrassment,
HMG's handling of Hong Kong's affairs, particularly
where this appears to entail the sacrifice of Hong
Kong's interests where they conflict with those of
HMG, (eg a clash of interests in the field of
international textile policy).
It is likely that some of the above factors will be
referred to, in one form or another, during the Secretary of
State's meetings with the unofficial members of the Executive
and Legislative Councils.
CONFIDENTIAL