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DSR 11C

on the establishment of a credible administration.

406

This would not be easy for any of the three Govern-

ments involved, but there might be pressure for HMG

to play a continuing part in this for the sake of

stability.

c) Economic: A separate and efficiently-run economy and,,

almost certainly,

a separate currency.will be needed if confidence is

to be maintained.

Chinese leaders would recognise

this but might nevertheless maintain that a new

system for Hong Kong should reflect their sovereignty

considerations

These/c

more explicitly. These could be hard to reconcile.

Economic development in Guangdong Province could also

lead to conflicts of interest if, as is likely, the

Hong Kong economy and the living standards of its

population continue to outpace that in Guangdong.

Hong Kong also now has de facto autonomy in inter-

national trade agreements and representation in

international organisations ie the General Agreement

on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which would need

examination. Hong Kong also features significantly

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Dd 0532000 400 M 5/78 HMSO Bracknell

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