TNAG-0334-FCO40-370-Visits-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Af-1972 — Page 10

CONFIDENTIAL

RELATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG

AND THE UNITED KINGDOM

Brief No 2

BACKGROUND

For several years past our relations with Hong Kong have

not been altogether happy. This state of affairs may be

ascribed to a number of factors:

2.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(a)

frustration caused by the realisation in Hong Kong

that despite its undoubted ability to do so the

Colony can never achieve independence,

resulting resentment at what is regarded as

interference by Britain in local affairs,

a feeling that Britain has little sincere concern

for Hong Kong's interests and indeed finds the

Colony rather an embarrassment,

HMG's handling of Hong Kong's affairs, particularly

where this appears to entail the sacrifice of Hong

Kong's interests where they conflict with those of

HMG, (eg a clash of interests in the field of

international textile policy).

It is likely that some of the above factors will be

referred to, in one form or another, during the Secretary of

State's meetings with the unofficial members of the Executive

and Legislative Councils.

CONFIDENTIAL