DIEU
AT MON
01-930 5422 ext
SECRET
CABINET OFFICE
70 WHITEHALL
LONDON SW1A 2AS
17 April 1975
Ja 0717
D Tonkin Esq
Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
hocar Week
"
THREAT TO HONG KONG
(125/e)
We have looked at the report of the Hong Kong Working Party which you enclosed with your letter of 8 April.
The existing
2. I agree that a new JIC assessment is not necessary. threat and significant changes since 1967 seem to us, in general, to be satisfactorily covered in the Working Party report. However, there are three points which might be made clearer:
3.
The intention of making
(a) Paragraph 5 discusses Chinese policy aims. sure that the Hong Kong Government cannot govern without Chinese approval is a long-term, not immediate, one. The point could be made by adding "ultimately" in line 7.
(b) The final sentence of paragraph 5 is rather too sanguine. Most elements of "the present ruling group" were in power during the troubles of 1967. It would be more accurate to say "... by CPG-directed rioting while present Chinese policy priorities remain. This is likely to be so as long as Chou En-lai and those of his persuasion remain in the ascendant." Paragraph 12: There is a second important difference between the
situation now and that in 1967. It is that the Chinese Government have given priority to policies of stability and economic development at home, with the result that manifestations of popular disorder, such as might have implications for Hong Kong, are quickly suppressed.
(၁)
I am copying this letter to the recipients of yours.
co: Mr J E Jackson, Defence Dept
Mr P L O'Keeffe, HKIOD
Cdre B C Perowne, MOD
Mr H J Blanks, MOD
SECRET
Yeni
cuer
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P CRADOCK