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rendition of Hong Kong is a matter for discussion at the highest level and the Mission is in no position to offer comment." The misquotation of Lord Ammon's words has, however, brought the whole question very much to the surface, and the papers are full of editorials on the subject.
I have only been in this colony a fortnight, but even in that time it has become obvious that the ultimate fate of Hong Kong is very much in people's minds. Opinion here appears to be almost unanimous that H.M.G. should make a bold declaration that it intends to retain Hong Kong in perpetuity. The fact that Portugal has had the courage to say "no" to feelers on the subject of Macao has led to unfavourable
comparison. There would no doubt be an outcry against us in the Chinese Press, but those to whom I have spoken here nearly all feel that it would not seriously or for long embarass Anglo-Chinese relations as no one of any influence in China at heart wants to see Hong Kong returned. Its value to the Chinese as a legitimate or illegitimate trading centre and as a potential funk hole is so enormous that no realist and the Chinese are realists
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wants it back.
There is no doubt, however, that at the present time hesitations as to what may happen are holding back potential investment here. The amount of Chinese wealth in this city is fantastic. Much of this would be invested here in new enterprises if the owners felt confident that the present regime would continue. These enterprises would be good clients of British Shipping. British or other European capital is also waiting for a lead. but on the whole the big firms here such as Jardines and Butterfields are so deeply committed already that they do not mind committing more, even as things are.
Some
What/