TNAG-0295-FCO40-331-Long-term-study-of-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1971 — Page 16

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Mr Wilford

1.

извота

I have read this paper with great interest, and a short on HKKC1/29 paper on its implications for my governorship in Hong Kong is attached. I think the latter has been agreed with yourself, Sir L Monson and Mr Royle.

2. I do not dissent at all from the conclusion that we should negotiate, at the right time, for the best terms that we can get, not even excluding renewal of the Lease. For my part I think it likely that the best we could hope for would be some form of special status for Hong Kong under which sovereignty would return to China, but Hong Kong might be defined as a special administrative district to be managed in a way that would facilitate the continued residence of foreigners.

3. Meanwhile my object in Hong Kong must be to ensure that conditions in Hong Kong are so superior in every way to those in China that the CPG will hesitate before facing the problems of absorption. These objects coincide with what we, as the administering power, would wish for the Colony in any case.

c. M. Model.

سلا

27 October 1971

M: Mangan.

CM MacLehose

hoe should now press ahead

Дорс

with the paper for DOPC

Suggeste

The Sofs.

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Mr 2.

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