(3001) Dd. 145244 400m 8/73 L.Ltd. Gp.839
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DEFENCE AND OVERSEA POLICY COMMITTEE
HONG KONG'S RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM
Memorandum by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
in consultation
RA
necessary with
us.
1.
Hong Kong is in effect a successful and semi-
autonomous city-state. Its relations with China are
on an even keel. Within the Colony the economy is
sound and still expanding very fast. Hong Kong is a
place where four million Chinese, most of whom came
voluntarily from China, wish to live and work.
2.
But Hong Kong has no political future of its
own. We are responsible for its defence and Hong Kong
depends absolutely on the British connection.
Constitutional power rests with the Governor who can in
theory be directed from London. In practice we do not
normally exercise this power and Hong Kong manages most of its own affairs/ But friction arises when the press
and public in Hong Kong believe, however wrongly, that
/we are