IN CONFIDENCE
4.9 The Mass Transit Railway (operated by an independent public corporation) opened in February 1980, and now serves 25 stations on
two lines linking Hong Kong Island with East Kowloon and Tsuen Wan.
Construction has also started on a line along the north shore of Hong Kong Island. The Kowloon-Canton railway has recently been modernised, and is now fully double-tracked and electrified
throughout its length.
SECTION 5: TOPICAL ISSUES (EXTERNAL)
UK-HONG KONG RELATIONS
5.1 While in practice Hong Kong enjoys a considerable degree of autonomy in the management of its own affairs, particularly in the commercial, financial and economic sectors, its constitutional and, to some extent, its political dependence on Britain is accepted. It is appreciated that without the British connection Hong Kong in its present form would cease to exist. There is a continuing dialogue between HMG and the Hong Kong Government about how the two governments should best discharge their responsibilities for the welfare of the population of Hong Kong. None of the many and far-reaching changes that have been made in Hong Kong in recent years have been imposed from London: they have all been made with the agreement, and usually on the initiative, of the Hong Kong Government. However, it is acknowledged that, where UK interests
are involved, the last word must rest with HMG.
a)
5.2
Multi-Fibre Arrangement
Some resentment in Hong Kong over what it sees as the UK's protectionist attitude towards international trade in textiles has proved an irritant to an otherwise generally excellent relationship. In particular Hong Kong is unhappy about the operation of its
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IN CONFIDENCE