SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret
Secret
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PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)
economic and cultural. We are now looking for a suitable
site for our future Consulate General, which if it is to
make the sort of impact we want will require substantial
financial resources. We decided last year to upgrade the
post of Senior British Trade Commissioner in Hong Kong,
as a mark of the importance we attach to our growing
commercial relationship with Hong Kong. And we have
given our support to private initiatives to strengthen
Anglo-Hong Kong links, such as the recently formed
Anglo-Hong Kong Trust, in ways consistent with our own
objectives.
CONCLUSION
21.
to 1997.
There will inevitably be difficulties on the road
Administering a territory with an advancing
deadline will not be easy. Demonstrating that the UK is
carrying out to the full its obligations to Hong Kong
will require continuous and very substantial effort.
There is also a vast amount of detail to negotiate with
the Chinese and the process will require firm but
sensitive handling. And there are bound to be some
people who will accuse us of failing to do enough for the
territory. But Hong Kong still has a very great deal
going for it. We must now continue to press for what we
believe to be in Hong Kong's best interests and
demonstrate our own confidence in and commitment to the
territory. Provided we can do so, there is no reason why
Hong Kong should not enjoy a secure and prosperous
future.