12.
Page 28 RET Page 28 of 293.
This, from their point of view, is a
The
satisfactory formula for reconciling their ideological
and nationalistic commitment to repossession with more
pragmatic considerations favouring the continuance of the
status quo. It is scarcely to be expected that they
could decide now whether economic or political factors
in China will make it desirable to continue special
arrangements for Hong Kong; but even if they do accept
this, they are most unlikely to admit it, particularly
with the succession to Mao still to be decided.
formula for public consumption is consistent with the
signals about current Chinese attitudes manifest in their
actions in specific situations (see Annex A). It also
carried the corollary that for China the internal affairs
of the Colony are an exclusively British responsibility
with the proviso that nothing should be done internally
(eg in the way of developing representative institutions)
which could infringe the Chinese claim that Hong Kong is,
and will remain, a part of China.
13.
But China's attitude towards the Colony has
varied with the years and the fact that it is at present
favourable, provided the status quo is maintained, is no
argument for believing that it will continue to be so for
the foreseeable future. Recent events in Peking confirm
that there are two main risks; that the ideologues
will gain ascendancy over the pragmatists in the Chinese Page 28 of 20vernment that succeeågf the present one on Page 28 of 203
death
I
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