R
SECRET
- 2
4.
Another point which the paper fails to bring out is that the Chinese have been seeking to use arguments put forward by the British side as part of their tactics. The essence of what they are saying is, that since the treaties are considered by the British to be valid, the New Territories revert automatically to China in 1997 and by common consent the rest of the territory cannot survive without them. This is inevitable, and it is therefore up to the British to ensure that it happens with a minimum of disturbance so long as the British remain in charge. The Chinese will take on this burden thereafter. In the light of this comment, I think paragraph 14(d) could be shortened. As drafted it strays into the realm of recommendations on further action, which are beyond the scope of this
paper.
5.
Against this background, I think Ken Walker's draft on the implications also requires some modification. Sub-paragraph (a) is of course correct. Sub-paragraph (b) should make the point that the Chinese opening move has been to rule out a simple exchange of titular sovereignty for continuing British administration. The question of whether continuing British administration by another name might be a negotiable proposition should be left open. I am not sure that the assertion that the Chinese may be willing to negotiate on some form of consultation (sub-paragraph .(d)) is correct. Their consultation "of all circles" in Hong Kong to date is a pretty unimpressive performance in terms of the degree to which those invited to Peking or canvassed locally are representative of the community at large in Hong Kong. In my view, the conclusion to be drawn from their repeated reference to the will of one billion people in China as opposed to the will of five million people in Hong Kong is that genuine consultation of the people in Hong Kong is to be ruled out.
Yours
ever,
Richard
(R. P. Margolis)
Deputy Political Adviser
c.c. R. N. Peirce,
Esq.,
HM Embassy,
Peking
W. Morris, Esq.A
HK&GD,
FCO.
K. C. Walker, Esq.,
Research Department, FCO.
SECRET