CONFIDENTIAL
VISIT OF MR. IVOR RICHARD, M.P.
TO HONG KONG: MAY 1970
Chinese Policy Towards Hong Kong
Line to Take
Mr. Richard should avoid as far as possible being drawn into commenting on relations between China and Hong Kong. If some comment is unavoidable, Mr. Richard should
simply say that it is the policy of the British Government and Hong Kong Government to foster the best possible
relations with China.
2. If Mr. Richard is asked to speculate what will happen when the lease on the New Territories runs out in 1997, Mr. Richard should say that it is not possible for anyone to predict what the circumstances will be at such a distance
in the future. A great deal will have happened in the area between now and 1997.
Background
3.
The Chinese Government regards Hong Kong (both the ceded and leased areas) as Chinese territory, which will eventually return to China. The Chinese are prepared to accept the existence of the Colony in its present form since it brings them considerable economic and political advantages. Approximately one-third of China's foreign exchange earnings comes through the Colony, and these earnings play a major role in financing China's trade deficits with other areas
of the non-Communist world. The Colony is also valuable to the Chinese as a listening post and a base for intelligence
activities.
CONFIDENTIAL
14.
The
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