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much will depend on the attitude of the then British Government
when the time comes, probably in the period 1980-1982 when consideration of this fundamental point is unavoidable. However, it is perhaps worth putting on record that I can see little option to seeking to retain Hong Kong after 1997 if this is possible. Any attempt to work out a peaceful and orderly handing back of the territory to China runs up against the fundamental difficulty that, however secret the understanding between ourselves and the Chinese to do so, the agreement must eventually lead to evidence on the ground in Hong Kong that a change is in prospect; and this will lead to all the undesirable effects, including immigration problems here, which we most wish to avoid. However, this is a point we can only note at the present time.
With
PL O'Keeffe
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.
9 September 1975
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