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nor for our own reasons would we wish them to do so. is, however, advantage in trying to make the Chinese believe that the Americans are involved in or committed to the defence of Hong Kong. The continued presence of American warships in Hong Kong is helpful in this connection. It might be uso- ful to seek American support and understanding for the policies which we desire to adopt. The advantages and disadvantages together with the ways and means of doing so might be considered separately.
54.
G. WITHDRAWAL
Hong Kong's geographical position, its preponderantly Chinese population, the artificial nature of its economic and political base - these factors, coupled with China's declared claims and intentions, indicate that the Colony's future must inevitably lie at some stage within China and that we must give up our position there. We therefore tur to consideration of the circumstances (short of an abruşt military take-over) in which this union with China might
the come about; the major problems that would arise: possibilities open to us to withdraw; and the prospects of our reaching a negotiated solution.
The Circumstances
55. We might reach an entirely voluntary decision that the best course would be to withdraw. This could be the case in the following situations:-
(a) The emergence in China of a more moderate regime
to whom we could conscientiously hand over the destinies of Hong Kong's people; this is highly unlikely in the near future.
This
(b) With or without a changed situation in China as in
(a), a swing of substantial proportions in Hong Kong Chinese opinion in favour of rejoining China. might come about in deteriorating economic conditions in Hong Kong; or as a result of a successful Communist campaign to "cultivate the masses"; or a combination of both. The emergence in Hong Kong of a generation that has its roots only
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