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SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
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Secret.
Confidential.
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Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
CONFILI
DRAFT
DOP MEMORANDUM
Type 1 +
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THIS DOCUMENT IS HE PROPERTY OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
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CABINET
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DEFENCE AND OVERSEA POLICY COMMITTEE
HONG KONG'S RELATIOMS WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM
Memorandum by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
1.
Hong Kong is in effect a successful and semi-
autonomous city-state. Its crucial relations with
China are on an even keel. Within the Colony the
economy is sound and still expanding very fast. The
present Governor is developing Hong Kong as 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 ito
own, and 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
winter
W/17
: