Registry
No.
TOP SECRET
DOPC PAPER
with
(4)
Type 1+46 copies only pli
FROM
Telephone No. Ext.
DRAFT
PAPER
Dop (73) 4
white
liths
9.21913
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret.
Secret.
Confidential.
Restricted.
Unclassified.
To:-
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
18 January 1973
Department
(16413) Dd.244353 100m 6/72 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
[could this be Hyped on 2 sides only please.]
Please return for checking before duplication] [Sample lay-out at flag A.]
محمد
specificall stated that they are Satisfied with the status quo.
CABINET
DEFENCE AND OVERSEA POLICY COMMITTEE
THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG
Memorandum by the Secretary of State for Foreign
and Commonwealth Affairs
1. In December 1971, my colleagues agreed with the
conclusions of DOP(71)83 that our policy for Hong Kong
should be to maintain the status quo and to take
preliminary informal soundings with the Chinese
Government nearer 1997, with a view to:
(i) securing an indication from the Chinese that
they will not interfere with the present
arrangements after 1997; or
(ii)
securing an indication that they will agree
X lease; or,
to negotiate new terms for a lease
failing either of these;
(iii) negotiating an orderly withdrawal in 1997.
2.
During 1972 the Chinese Government have
reaffirmed that:
(a) they regard Hong Kong as an integral part
of China;
(b) they are nevertheless in no hurry to recover
the territory and have no present intention
of disturbing the status quo,
/(c)
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