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(IV) THE CHINESE ARE LIKELY TO FOCUS ON THE SECOND HALF OF PAKA 3. IT COULD BE MADE MORE PALATABLE TO THEM WHILE
AT THE SAME TIME CONTRIBUTING MORE TO THE UNVEILING PROCESS IF THE PASSAGE BEGINNING WITH THE ELEVENTH SENTENCE WAS AMENDED ON THE FOLLOWING LINES:-
''AT PRESENT CONTINUITY IS ASSURED BY BRITISH ADMINISTRATION. BUT WE BEAR IN MIND THE REALITIES OF THE SITUATION, INCLUDING THE FACT THAT THE LEASE ON 92 PER CENT OF THE TERRITORY EXPIRES IN 1997. FOR THE FUTURE IT IS POSSIBLE TO VISUALISE OTHER WAYS IN WHICH CONTINUITY CAN BE ASSURED. THE IDEAS ABOUT HONG KONG'S FUTURE PUBLICLY EXPRESSED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THEMSELVES LAY HEAVY STRESS ON CONTINUITY OF HONG KONG'S SYSTEMS AND THE WAY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG. OUR PRESENT TASK IS TO EXAMINE ALL OPTIONS THOROUGHLY AND SERIOUSLY TOGETHER WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. WE ARE STILL NEGOTIATING. THE SHAPE OF THE FINAL PACKAGE WHICH WE DRING TO THIS HOUSE FOR APPROVAL WILL BE CRUCIAL. I BELIEVE THAT, WHILE CHANGE IN HONG KONG IS INEVITABLE, WE CAN REACH AN AGREEMENT WHICH WILL ASSURE GENUINE CONTINUITY AND AUTONOMY FOR HONG KONG AND THE PRESERVATION OF ITS
WAY OF LIFE.
EVANS
-- FUTURE OF HONG KONG
D/PLANNING STAFF
ED/PUSD
D/ED/PUSD
PES B. (MR WALKER)
LEGAL ADVISER (SIR TAN SINCLAIR
PS
PS/LADY YOUNG
PS/ME LUCE
PS/PUS
SIR J BULLARD
SIR W HARDING
KA WILSON
JAR WRIGENT
SIR C TICNELL
COPIES TO:
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL
PS/HOME SECRETARY
PS/CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL
PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY
COPIES TO: (VIA ADR)
MR ROBERTS NEWS ́ ́D
HR BURROWS LEGAL-ADVS
MR COLES NO 10 DOWNLING ST
MR MARTIN ASSESSMENT STAFF CABINET OFFICE
MR GOODATI. CABINET OFFICE
MR. BRENNAN CABINET OFFICE
PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE D
PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL
SIR.P CRADOCK BU KĪRS
SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING STRELA
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