RJ Codrington Esq
SED
FCO
London SW1
BRITISH EMBASSY
MADRID
14 July 1983
раз
Aus Prest
MKK040/5
2 8 JUL 1983
(202
zxcanter
74-75/7
INDEX
MICK04014 544
PA
Я
20
1 CH12017
In his letter of 7 July Greg Faulkner referred to the interest being shown in Spain towards developments in Hong Kong. The press have continued
1.
to report the recent meetings and today's El Pais carries an editorial on the subject headed "The Chinese Gibraltar". After setting out the background the editorial says that Eong Kong will be returned to China in 14 years. It notes that China wants to obtain sovereignty and control of the zone without "killing the goose that lays the golden eggs" while the UK would have preferred to retain sovereignty which does not seem possible. It speculates that the main British objectives will be to maintain the current privileges, concessions and investment. It suggests that in a fast moving situation it is impossible to predict the future and in particular how China will develop. The UK can only hope for the moment that China will recognize that it is in it's interests to maintain Hong Kong's special status or part of it. It concludes "For Spain it can only be a matter for satisfaction to see a British colony freed".
c.c. J Wilde Esq
Gibraltar
Hong Kong and General Dept FCC
M L Croll (Miss)