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The Worst Case (Paragraphs 84-91)
(x) In the event of a Chinese military attack obviously mounted with the objective of taking over Hong Kong we would surrender the Colony with only a show of resistance. Unremitting Chinese pressure short of a military take-over could render our position untenable and lead us to the conclusion that we must withdraw with or without Chinese co-operation.
(y) In either event China might not accept our renunciation
of control but might aim to force us to maintain a
puppet British administration under their control.
In such circumstances it might be better to co-operate with them rather than to sever, as in a formal way we could easily do, our political and economic connections with the Colony.
(z) However these are decisions which can be taken only
We
in the light of the circumstances at the time.
consider that whatever may happen in Hong Kong the Governor should remain in charge of the civil
administration of the Colony and therefore that the
Dormant Commission conferring full administrative
authority upon the Commander, British Forces, should be revoked.
J.
RECOMMENDATIONS
(1)
The following are the recommendations of the study.
We should recognise that Hong Kong's future must eventually lie in China and that our objective must be to attempt to negotiate its return, at a favourable opportunity, on the best terms obtainable for its people and for our material
interests there.
(2) Withdrawal should not be contemplated while present
(3)
conditions in China persist. We could not now negotiate terms that would in any measure meet our responsibilities towards the people or our material interests.
We should watch for an acceptable opportunity to negotiate or reach some understanding with the Chinese on our with- drawal, if and when a suitable regime emerges there.
/it is important
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