because it is the only modern usable large deep sea-port in
the China Sea, through which passes so much commerce every
day. Shanghai before the War, was far more important than
Hong Kong, which was, at that time, almost a back water.
Because of the collapse of Shanghai, both during and after
the Japanese War, and because of the comparative stability of
Hong Kong, it is now so prosperous. I do not myself think
that in the next 13 odd years that are left before the change
must take place in the status of Hong Kong, Shanghai would
have retrieved her old greatness. Furthermore, I think that
the Government in Peking has learned by the collapse of
Shanghai, that it is not in China's interest to have Hong
Kong go the same way. On the other hand, again, there is an
old Chinese saying that where where honour is concerned,
wealth means nothing, so, any settlement must be honourable
to the Government of China.
Just recently, I have heard it advocated that
the best thing for the settlement would be a renewal of the
New Territories Lease, but this time on fair and reasonable
terms. This suggestion would be completely unacceptable to
any and every politician in Peking. Indeed, it would be
political murder for any Chinese person to even suggest it.
In my opinion, the first point in Stage 1, that of
sovereignty is essential, so as to show the Government in
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Peking the honesty of the U.K. s intentions. Of course, the
settlement must also be honourable to the Government of Great
Britain. However, speaking as a Hong Kong man, most
essential of all, is to achieve a settlement that permits the
man in the street in Hong Kong to carry on in the same way
that he has done over the past 20 years.
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