DRAFT PAPER
SECRET
DSR 11C
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
AIM
To consider the implications of options for the future and the
range of British responses in the medium and long-term,
SUMMARY OF CURRENT POSITION
Hong Kong Island, 'Kowloon and New Territories (distinction).
Consistency of position of Chinese Governments since KMT.
Relations with PRC.
Low point in 1967. Current
Land lease question.
improvement. Land
Present Chinese Government's public position.
Deng Xiaoping's statement of 1979.
Makes early action unlikely although political change before
1997 not ruled out.
MEDIUM TERM
Early Chinese moves on final solution unlikely.
Developments possible in context of our effort to maintain
economic and social confidence eg over land leases.
-
Discussions on this question may produce Chinese demands
for British concessions on:
a) Sovereignty
b) Chinese Representation
c) Chinese participation in Hong Kong Administration.
/Sovereignty
SECRET
BERNO DJDA 113 2001 7/70 get