CONFIDENTIAL
DEBATE ON THE FUTURE OF THE COMMONWEALTH: HONG KONG
Defensive use only
Hong Kong is a member of the Commonwealth by nature of its
status as a dependent territory of the United Kingdom. Once
China resumes sovereignty over the territory in July 1997, Hong Kong will cease to be a member.
Not for use: for background information only
- The Chinese are sensitive at any suggestion that informal
links between Hong Kong and Commonwealth bodies might
persist after 1997.
- Some links of a personal, or legal, nature are likely to
continue after 1997, but we are not at present in a position
to talk publicly about this.
CL1AAU/1
CONFIDENTIAL