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allowed!
HMG, though in certain areas, including trade, immigration and finance, the Hong Kong Government is entrusted by HMG
with power to conduct some external relations.
A Political
Adviser (seconded from the FCO) advises on external policy
aspects of Hong Kong Government policies.
Dpossibl
Possible Changes
Simple Acknowledgement of Chinese sovereignty
11.
simple acknowledgement by HMG of Chinese sovereignty
would imply that the UK no longer had sovereignty over the
ceded areas, and also that the international lease of the
New Territories had no continuing validity in international
law.
If it were unrequited, the UK would no longer be able
in practice to administer the territory as a colony. There
would be no point in making such a concession except in
return for a concession by the PRC that British administration
of the territory could nevertheless continue.
Acknowledgement of eventual Chinese sovereignty
12. HMG could acknowledge that sovereignty over the ceded
areas should eventually be restored to China at an appropriate
future time after 1997 to be agreed later with the PRC on the
understanding that British administration of the whole territory
should continue until the agreed date. This device could be
/acceptable
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