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Extract from Draft Bref for President of the Board of I act
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MI- FED 387 1400/02
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Because they regard the colony as Chinese territory to be recovered, the CPG have dropped strong informal hints from time to time that any advancement of Hong Kong along normal colonial lines towards self- government and independence could not be tolerated. More recently, the CPG have let it be known that they would deprecate discussion of Hong Kong in the UN Committee of 24 and have reacted to Russian taunts that China tolerates colonies on its doorstep by making it clear that those who call for independence for Hong Kong and Maceo are suggesting the detachment of Chinese territory. Informed opinion in the colony is well aware of this consideration, also of the danger that the application of an electoral system to the Legislative Council would lead to open political strife between CPG and Nationalist supporters and provide a pretext for BPG intervention. The pressure for radical constitutional change in the colony although very vocaly is therefore slight. Constitutional changes introduced this year did no more than enlarge the composition of the Legislative Council (wholly nominated) and of the Urban Council (partly Page 134bfot44) and are not likely to have caused the Chinese any concer. If
they should however express their views on the question of constitutional change in Hong Kong it is strongly recommended that the Minister should not be drawn into any comment and ld merely listen to what they say.
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