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SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG: 5 NOVEMBER 1980 AT 10.00 AM
BRIEF NO 1: THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG
POINTS TO MAKE
INDIVIDUAL LAND LEASES
1. At present Chinese seem to favour step by step pragmatic
approach rather than blanket agreement. This will suit us if it
comes off. Can we expect movement by Chinese on individual cases
in next few months? If no progress by late Summer of 1981 may have
to approach Peking with our own ideas, eg on leases extending
beyond 1997.
SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO CHINA IN 1981
2. Will need to follow up recent discussion with Huang Hua.
Tactics will depend on progress on concrete cases.
THE LONG-TERM FUTURE
3.
Right to look at practical problem of land leases first.
But need to start our own consideration of long-term. We think
we should prepare a paper analysing the implications for HMG in
three broad alternatives if the Chinese:
4.
a) insist on return of Hong Kong;
b) agree to maintain status quo;
c) suggest a political solution, with a declaration on their
sovereignty but a guarantee of a continued economy separate
from the Chinese currency.
Appreciate need for strict secrecy. Risks to confidence in
Hong Kong. But need to prepare out own thoughts. Even if no
discussion with Chinese for many years special problems likely to
crop up, eg on future citizenship for Hong Kong residents.
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