TNAG-0334-FCO40-370-Visits-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Af-1972 — Page 241

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

CONFIDENTIAL

"A Chinese official whose rank ensures

that he had prior approval from Peking told La Hong Kong businessman], that no

moves would be made against Hong Kong

for a long time to come.

#1

3.

While the Chinese Government are content

for reasons of self-interest to accept the status

quo, there are certain questions on which they are

particularly sensitive. They have always been

Tra

quick to react to any action by the Hong Kong Government which they considered a threat to the

To tha Communist press-

ucation, schools, or trade

unions. But provided that due heed is paid to

their known susceptibilities, the Chinese are

likely to acquiesce in the way the Colony is

administered.

CURRENT CHINESE POLICY

4. The evolution of more stable and pragmatic

policies in China itself has been reflected in the

Chinese attitude towards Hong Kong. The local

Hong Kong communists are under firm instructions

from Peking to stay within the law and to direct

their activities to building a broad political

base in the Colony. While some local Communists

the are probably restive under these restraints,

Communist leadership appears to have accepted the

current line. Confrontation prisoners still

serving sentences for their part in the disturbances

in 1967, (23 at the beginning of the year), remain

4

a continuing point of friction in Sino/Hong Kong

4

CONFIDENTIAL

/relations