TNAG-0332-FCO40-368-Visits-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Af-1972 — Page 26

CONFIDENTIAL

NOTES ON MEETING BETWEEN SECRETARY OF STATE

FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS. THE RT. HON. SIR ALEC

DOUGLAS HOME K.T. MP. AND THE

MP. AND THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE

EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS OF HONG KONG 14TH FEBRUARY 1972

(A) RELATIONS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND HONG KONG

Hon. Sir Albert RODRIGUES Hon. Sir Douglas CLAGUE Hon. P.C. WOO

Secretary of State

Hong Kong is in a unique position. It has over 80% of the entire population of the British Commonwealth, yet it must remain as a Colony and cannot make progress towards independence. Britain should keep this special position of Hong Kong in mind in its dealings with matters affecting the Colony. Hong Kong itself has no direct external relationships

with other States and therefore needs extra

consideration from Britain with an occasional

gesture to show that Britain does care. Tradewise it is the equivalent of an independent country; yet it cannot obtain the benefits for which such countries are eligible. In

particular it needs a better deal in matters of trade and commerce. For example, there had been no gesture in response to Hong Kong's representations regarding quotas and tariffs for cotton textile imports. The British position in relation to Hong Kong is often too rigid and appears to be lacking in sympathy. It has to be positively demonstrated that Britain is looking after Hong Kong's interests. It is also necessary to instil confidence among the people of Hong Kong in Britain's determination to look after the Colony's affairs.

Will see whether it is possible for Britain to do more than it does at present in demonstrating its concern for Hong Kong's interests. Will try to find means of binding Britain more closely with the future prosperity of Hong Kong. So far as aid is concerned, the aim of British policy is to provide aid for poor countries to enable them to set up the

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CONFIDENTIAL