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this was feasible.
3. In discussion on the substance of the paper on China it was agreed that there should be brief references to the economic aspects of China's interest in the EEC and to her policies in the UN. The Committee also considered whether the Sino/Soviet dispute was likely to persist into the foreseeable future and concluded that, at least to some degree, this was likely to be so. The question was put whether in 20 years' time China would have an expansionist policy in the developing countries and cause us difficulties in much the same way as the Soviet Union now did. On the whole it was felt that, while China had made a number of forays in Africa, she had not as yet followed these up very actively and that the explanation must lie in her preoccupation with her own affairs. She had a more self-contained and less expansive tradition than the Soviet Union. But it was difficult to forecast the longer term future.
4. The Committee generally approved the paper on Japan. The only major point made was that the idea of encouraging the Japanese to increase their naval capabilities should be explored first with the Americans.
5. It was agreed that the papers on China and Japan, incorporating the suggestions made in discussion, should be submitted to the Secretary of State on Friday 12 March, under cover of a short sub- mission setting out a summary of the conclusions and recommendations.
6. The Committee then turned to the Planning Committee Paper on Hong Kong (PC 76/11) prepared by Hong Kong and Indian Ocean Department. The PUS thought this was a good paper which clearly set out the points at issue. Mr McNally said his impression was that there were no major domestic political pressures to do anything about Hong Kong but that the Secretary of State wanted to make sure that during his stewardship the Colony should make as much social progress as possible. The ideas contained in the paper could well go far enough to satisfy the Secretary of State; but he would need to be convinced that no approach should be made to the Chinese about the Colony until the 1980s.
7. Members of the Committee agreed that paragraph 5 needed expanding so as to bring out more clearly and precisely such positive advan- tages as we derived from Hong Kong. The paper might also cover the implications of any revision of the Nationality Law.
8. The Committee agreed that this paper should go forward to Lord Goronwy-Roberts, together with a recent Despatch from the Governor and an analysis of the differences of emphasis there, with a view to discussion at a meeting under his Chairmanship. The aim should be to submit a paper to the Secretary of State by 26 March at the latest, and to send a copy under cover of a letter from the PUS to the Governor as soon as possible. This should give time for the
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