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HONG KONG IN THE 1980s
INTRODUCTION
1.
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The last 12 months have seen dramatic changes in Chinese attitudes towards the outside world, and towards Western countries in particular. There have been no less striking developments in the relationship between China and Hong Kong The
The situation is avy rinne fince 1949. What could be come
dia lozue still evolving, but it has already reached the point where Ministers
The future of Hong Kong
during the recent Witch of the Govenor
động trong have agreed that the Chinese should be sounded out on the practical
to Peking. problems which the expiry of the New Territories Lease in 1997 will
when this create for Hong Kong in the 1980s. We cannot be sure how the Chinese will asset es where subsequent discussion (which could take
rsaeter mortko) will lead. But there seems a reasonable possibility that they Chiasse will agree to see satisfactory arrangement. Barring a complete reversal of the policies of the present Chinese leadership, the continuation of British rule in Hong Kong through the 1980s should then be assured. It is possible that the status quo could be maintained for some considerable time after that, but we cannot realistically look further ahead than the next ten years.
2.
Against this background, this paper considers British interests in Hong Kong, compares them with those of the Chinese, and sets out some of the issues which are likely to arise over the years and some of the considerations which will affect the formulation of British policy.
BRITISH INTERESTS
3. There are advantages and disadvantages for Britain in the Hong Kong connection. The advantages are now perhaps more apparent than they were a few years ago. In the post-Mao era Hong Kong has proved a very positive factor in the development of relations between Britain and China (see paragraph 6 below). Hong Kong is in itself an increasingly important market for British goods. some lean years British exports are picking up, in particular, contracts for the supply of capital goods worth some £564 million have been won by British firms since 1976. In the civil aviation
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