TNAG-0034-FCO40-70-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 152

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5.

10. I am discussing these ideas in the ad hoc Hong Kong

Committee recently established. My immediate concern,

however, is that the paper which has been commissioned on

our relations with China with reference to Hong Kong, on

which work is to begin shortly, should not proceed from the

pessimistic assumption that we have no hope of getting out

of Hong Kong in an honourable manner, without humiliation,

and with due safeguards given to the people of Hong Kong

who have been loyal to us. My strong view is that if we

play our cards right and are lucky (luck will certainly

come very much into it) Hong Kong can become not the millstone

round our neck that the pessimists now say it is but a most

valuable lever in our relations with the new China that may

succeed Mao Tse-tung.

to work for.

In any event this is what we ought

Copies to:

(A.J. de la Mare)

9 August, 1967

Mr. Hall, 0.0. F.E. Department Private Secretary

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