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ask Chou E-lai, who is both the originator of the proposal and the final authority on it, to explain frankly and in as much detail as possible, why the Chinese Government have put it Lorward, why they continue to insist on it, and what they hope to achieve by it.
5.
We know that both Mao Tse-tung und Chou bl--JU have a high regard for Mr. Heath's view on the way in which the state of the world is qvolving. For this reason he is, I believe, in a better position than any other statesman today to have a really deep and meaningful discussion with thic Chinese Loaders on world affairs and to probe their views and intention We should not miss this opportunity of trying to col a clearer view of Chinese attitudes towards Hong Kong both at the present time and in the future. 1 hojo therefore that in his discusions with Cou Bi-Lai the Frime Minister will not contine himself to the limitou
issue of Chinese representation in Hong kong but wil go on to discuss with him how the future of Hong Lon and its relations with China arc to evolve over the next five or ten years and up to the end of the century.
6.
1
Hong Kong cannot stay still but has to evolve. The stability of the evolution will be greatly LIIGG MEG by the extent to which it diverges from the Chinc.c Government's views and intentions or is in conformi lự with them.. The presentosition of Hong Kong, without official Chinese representation, is an abone 1. and all anachronism. To acccit the Chinese Covenantanik proposal for official representation has the advanbo, A for us of placing to some extent the scal of their official approval on the present status of Hong Kon and of giving us some assurance that the evolution or Hong Kong over the next stage will be with the concurrence of the Chinese Coverment. If, on the other hand, the Prime Minister were to reject the Chinese proposal and the Chinese were to accept the rejection as final, the present state of relative dislocation in the relations between Hong Kong tid. China might be extended into an over-widening breach which would comage not only the interests of long lon but also our relations with China in a wider context..
17. The Chinese request for official i opreschtalici in Hong Kong therefore, as 1 co it, places us oquun iy
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