HKK 4/1
Alar Lawrence,
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FILE COPY
26
Hong Kong
OFDO (DR) (69)1
10 February 1969.
24
In my letter of 5 February I undertook to write separately about the comments forwarded under cover of
John Thomoon's letter of 28 January. Our views and proposals are set out below: the references are to paragraphs in the
attachment to that letter.
Faragraph 2 (a)
Our presence in Hong Kong is only one aspect of our interest in maintaining relations with China. There are, of course, much wider, long-term interests and problems in maintaining satisfactory relations. But this paper is not the place to examine them; we are here concerned only with
Hong Kong's impact upon them. We think that the fourth sentence of paragraph 4 of the paper is a fair statement in the context.
Paragraph 2 (b)
Faragraph 40 of the paper is concerned with Chinese general aims, and we do not think a distinction between the
leased and ceded areas is relevant in this context. As regards this point in the paper generally, we have assumed that, on a strict interpretation, our terms of reference (see paragraph 1 of the paper) do not require us to consider the situation facing us in 1997 should the Chinese leave us in possession of Hong Kong until then. If as 1997 draws very much nearer the Chinese have not moved against the Colony or we have not found a way of giving it up, then will be the time to consider what to do about the situation facing us at the end of the
lease, in the light of the attitude and intentions of whatever
/Chinese
H. P. LAWRENCE-WILSON, ESQ.,
CARINET OFFICE.
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