7. SECRET
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Hong Kong as could be salvaged and in alleviating the enormous social and economic problems which the return would cause them.
14.
Even with the cards in Para. 12
above, is it conceivable that the Chinese could consider arrangements, in apparent breach of their principles, providing for continuation of the present, or creation of a special, administration in Hong Kong?
Yes. Provided the status quo remained of value to them, the Chinese could find a way round the point of principle, particularly with the help of some concessions on our side.
15.
}
The Chinese appear to regard us as being bound by the terms of the Lease, and thus to give vacant possession in 1997 unless they provide otherwise. But they do not regard themselves as bound by the terms either of the Lease or of the other treaties relating to Hong Kong, but only by their undertaking not to disturb our administration
警察
until
the time is ripe". This phrase represents the only indication they have ever given publicly of the term they put to our administration, though the Chinese must realise as well as we do that something will have to be done by the mid-80s. However if they then conclude that continuation of special arrangements about Hong Kong would be in their interest, they would have a strong interest in finding a formula to overcome the pressure imposed by the 1997 date.
16.
Given the will on the Chinese side it should be possible to arrive at an arrangement that would enable us to escape from the consequences of the deadline of 1997 in the Lease, so as to hold Hong Kong together in some form after the mid-80s for as long as H.M.G. and the Chinese accepted the need to do so. Such a device could at least postpone the problem and give us valuable time.
17.
an arrangement be?
What would the elements of such
This would depend very much on what the British and Chinese Governments found tolerable in the circumstances of the time. It would also depend
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