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5. TO DEAL WITH THESE TWO ASPECTS OF THE PROBLEM IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO PASS A LAW ON LAND LEASES IN HONG KONG AND, IN SUPPORT OF THAT, ISSUE AN ORDER IN COUNCIL, THE LATTER I
IS A LEGAL STEP WHICH DOES NOT HAVE TO BE SUBMITTED TO PARLIAMENT FOR APPROVAL. OUR PRESENT INTENTION IS TO ANNOUNCE THE STEPS WE PROPOSE TO TAKE WHEN THE GOVERNOR OPENS THE HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN OCTOBER. IN DOING SO, WE WOULD NATURALLY MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THESE STEPS WERE ENTIRELY WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE CHINESE POSITION ON HONG KONG, AND DID NOT COMMIT EITHER THE PRESENT OR FUTURE CHINESE GOVERNMENTS TO ANY PARTICULAR COURSE OF ACTION WITH REGARD TO THE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY.
see
redrags
ü HK
60911
1
131.
A COPY OF THIS SPEAKING NOTE WOULD BE HANDED OVER. IN DOING SO THE EMBASSY WOULD ADD ORALLY THAT WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY ACTION ON THE PART OF THE CHINESE. HOWEVER, IF ASKED, WE WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT THE CHINESE HAD BEEN INFORMED IN ADVANCE OF WHAT WE INTENDED TO DO.)'
MACLEHOSE
FILES HKG D, FED.
MR HURRA
HURRAY
COPIES TO
MR RUSHFORD Legal ADV:
aov:
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