CONFIDENTIAL
5.
(b) "Chinese residents"
These are defined in the Ordinance as persons other
than "Hong Kong belongers" who are wholly or partly
of Chinese race and have at any time been ordinarily
resident in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not
less than 7 years.
A "Chinese resident" has the right to land in Hong
Kong at any time and without any conditions attached
to his stay in the Colony, unless there is a
deportation order in force against him at the time.
The concept of "Chinese citizens of Hong Kong" seems to
be neither one thing nor the other, and we in the Department
think it would be better to leave well alone at present.
In particular we would want to avoid stirring up any hornets
nests about rights to residence in the UK.
5.
In his despatch of 5 May Sir Murray MacLehose has suggested
that our strategy should be "to tackle the domestic problems
of the Colony so vigorously during the next 10 years that they
would be eliminated to a point at which by Western standards
there was nothing to be ashamed of anywhere, and by Chinese
standards much to spur civic pride and a sense of achievement
everywhere." And he commented "Such a policy is worth
pursuing for its own sake. But I believe it also holds out
the best prospect for the least unsatisfactory arrangement
with China on the long term future of the Colony."
2.
CONFIDENTIAL
17.