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hold
familiar with Hong Kong might conclude that the argument for
retaining the colony at all was weak and that we should dispense
with it forthwith.
13. I know the Governor has difficulty getting his despatches
drafted. He has written to me about this in the context of a
despatch to all Governors. The latter was not intended to apply
to Hong Kong, but to other Dependent Territory Governors with
perhaps less knowledge of Whitehall. I propose to reply
accordingly and would tell him that we have found his latest
despatch useful as a think piece on which we can draw for our
papers on the future of Hong Kong.
21 November 1973
се
Mr Evans, FED
ACSL
A C Stuart
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.
1. I agree with Mr Stuart that in his despatch the Governor
has exaggerated the value of Hong Kong to the United Kingdom.
There is no doubt that the main value is to the inhabitants of
Hong Kong; and to the Chinese as a source of foreign exchange.
On the other points relating to China I agree with Sir John
Addis rather than with the Governor.
2. The main point as regards our own relationship with
it
Hong Kong is that exists. The only way in which its status
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