D
n
CRET
The Rushford
My
guess
in that 7(c) would
Lave much the best chance of getting past? the Chinese. But the point is, of one for policy Jindgment.
Mr Williamson, HKGD
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
cc Mr Friar, HKGD
Mr Freeland
Sir I Sinclair (o.r.)
216
Offreeland) Fl. copy this page
157x
ONLY to
M
Williamson
& the other recipients.
I have recently been giving some further thought to the
*
A.RR.
20.10.
difficulties created by the fact that the New Territories were granted on lease is reflected in the 1898 Order, which does not at present provide a sufficient basis in municipal law for British administration of the New Territories after 30 June
See 1997.
2. There seems to be little likelihood at present that the
Chinese Government would be willing to enter into an agreement
with the UK under which the UK would be authorized to administer
the New Territories after 30 June 1997.
3.
If this situation continues (as well it may) then grave
uncertainties about the continuance of UK administration after
30 June 1997 are bound to develop as that date approaches,
with serious political and economic consequences for Hong Kong
and the UK,
4. As I see it, therefore, HMG may well have to contemplate
taking unilateral action to alter the situation in the hope
that such action will receive the tacit acquiescence of the
Chinese and not provoke them into retaliation.
5.
On the UK side it seems to be axiomatic that the territory
of Hong Kong can be satisfactorily administered only as a whole
in other words, if the New Territories were surrendered, the
rest of the colony would be untenable.
Ж.
*. I meant to
say
t{
'created by
reason
SECRET
of the fact
/ 6.
"1
.