CONFIDENTIAL
SECRETARY OF STATE'S TOUR OF THE FAR EAST
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1973
RELATIONS WITH CHINA AND THE
SITUATION ON THE BORDER
BRIEF NO HK 4
BACKGROUND NO POINTS TO MAKE 7
Chinese Policy towards Hong Kong
1. The Chinese regard Hong Kong (both the ceded and leased
areas) as Chinese territory. Their position was set out in a
letter circulated to the UN Committee of 24 in March 1972 which
said inter alia: "Hong Kong and Macao are part of Chinese territory
occupied by the British and Portuguese authorities". The Chinese
must be aware that the colony cannot be defended for any significant
length of time against a determined Chinese attack or against
large Communist-inspired disturbances if reinforced by substantial
military intervention from China. In any case the Chinese have
at their disposal ample means of making difficulties for the
Hong Kong Government. But for the time being at least the
Chinese are prepared to accept the existence of the Colony in
its present form, since it brings them considerable economic and
political advantages.
2. While the Chinese Government are apparently content at
present to accept the status quo, there are certain questions on
which they are particularly sensitive. For example they have
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