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040/1
28/22 Minbe..
ник око!
ASCO/VEM IN REGISTRY NO.
- 8 DEC 1981
DESK OFFICEN
MR MORRIS, HKGD
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
INDEX
W
PA
260
Sir I Sinclair
Land
Mr Freeland
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Pas 17/1~
256
Please refer to your minute of 3 December, in which you ask for a tabular presentation of the legal problems involved in the relinquishment by the UK of its sovereignty over Hong Kong, that would provide a complete directory of the questions Ministers may ask.
See ник онол, ♡ 1982
(1) On the premise that the UK will be allowed to maintain the status quo in Hong Kong in spite of any concession on sovereignty, there really is not a great deal to say and what one needs to say does not readily lend itself to tabulation.
2.
3. I have however written a paper with some Annexes which covers most, if not all, of the ground whether the UK is required to cede territorial sovereignty or not. I have included in para.5 a list of particular matters (including some you mention) and I dare say others will come to mind. It does not however follow that these particular matters will need to be dealt with individually in the agreement nor that any specific legal action will be needed in respect of them.
4.
Confucius he say:
"Oldest fox has broadest brush!"
о
See Hire 040/14/150
ник очо
7 December 1981
A.R.R.
AR Rushford
Deputy Legal Adviser
SECRET
1982+(57