SECRET
Никон
RECEIVED IN 27GKILY NO. 01
P JUN 1970
DISK OFACIN
INDEX
}
PA
Acton
No
88.6
SECRET
ΤΟ
HONG KONG
TEL NO
SAVING
OF
For Governor
104
YOUR LETTER OF 10 APRIL: NEW TERRITORIES LEASES
1. We have now taken advice on possible rewording of the proposed
Order in Council. It has of course been agreed all along that any
formulation we use must be consistent with the Chinese view on the
future of Hong Kong. Our understanding of that view has been
changed by Deng's revelation that he envisages a scenario under
which Hong Kong would come under Chinese sovereignty while con-
tinuing to function much as at present. As you point out, there
are considerable problems to be overcome before such a scenario
could be workable. Nonetheless we should try to devise a wording
for the new leases that would enable them to continue in force in
the event that such a change does take place.
2. The simplest solution would be to omit the phrase "for so long
as Her Majesty might administer these territories" from Clause 2.
This phrase was originally included to reassure the Chinese that we
do not assume that British rule in Hong Kong would continue for ever.
Its omission does not weaken the legal validity of the clause. But
if you feel it necessary to include some wording that in effect meant
/the
SECRF 7