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with them. Depending on the outcome, it could open up a possibility for longer-term dialogue on the future of Hong Kong.
7.
There is of course no guarantee that the present relaxed Chinese attitude towards Hong Kong will continue. The possibility should not be excluded that a change of leadership during the next ten years could result in a sharp deterioration in Sino/ Hong Kong relations and even in a reversion to the confrontation of 1967. However, if that were to happen the lessees would be no worse off with indeterminate leases than they are at present: it is well understood in Hong Kong that the security of tenure under existing leases would not amount to very much if the Chinese were to decide to take over the Colony.
8. I hope that the Governor of Hong Kong can sound out the Chinese about these ideas during a visit which he is making to Peking later this month at the invitation of the Chinese Government. If the Chinese react positively I hope to take the matter further during my own visit to China in april.
9. I invite my colleagues to agree the course of action outlined
above.
END OF MEMORANDUM
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
22 March 1979
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