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5.
Although the Chinese Government in theory regard
all the Hong Kong treaties as unequal and not therefore
binding on themselves, in practice they still connect
the need for negotiations with the expiry of the lease
of the New Territories in 1997. Chou En-fai repeated
1972.
this to Lord Thomson in October 1997 therefore
remains the target date for the completion of a new
understanding on retention or withdrawal.
6. Our current line is that there is no question of
a change in the status of Hong Kong in the foreseeable
future. With 24 years in hand this is still realistic.
In
A problem which will increase with time, however,
will be to avoid damaging public discussion of the
future. Hong Kong's prosperity depends on confidence.
This relates not only to business confidence, but also
to the willingness of the Chinese population to work
for the British. The new Governor has made a good
start in developing Hong Kong into a place where people
wish to live and work. But as 1997 approaches they
will inevitably begin to question their future.
the UK the immigration lobby have already expressed
anxiety about the unreal possibility of a massive
inflow from Hong Kong after a takeover by China,
while members of the Tribune Group are considering
an attack on a policy which they claim lulls the
Chinese population of Hong Kong into a sense of false
security in the interests of big business. If public
discussion led to a serious loss of confidence in
Hong Kong the Colony could become difficult to govern.
17.