TNAG-0368-FCO40-414-Visits-of-UK-Government-Ministers-to-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 143

CONFIDENTIAL

SECRETARY OF STATE'S TOUR OF THE FAR EAST

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1973

RELATIONS WITH CHINA AND THE

SITUATION ON THE BORDER

BRIEF NO HK 4

BACKGROUND NO POINTS TO MAKE 7

Chinese Policy towards Hong Kong

1. The Chinese regard Hong Kong (both the ceded and leased

areas) as Chinese territory. Their position was set out in a

letter circulated to the UN Committee of 24 in March 1972 which

said inter alia: "Hong Kong and Macao are part of Chinese territory

occupied by the British and Portuguese authorities". The Chinese

must be aware that the colony cannot be defended for any significant

length of time against a determined Chinese attack or against

large Communist-inspired disturbances if reinforced by substantial

military intervention from China. In any case the Chinese have

at their disposal ample means of making difficulties for the

Hong Kong Government. But for the time being at least the

Chinese are prepared to accept the existence of the Colony in

its present form, since it brings them considerable economic and

political advantages.

2. While the Chinese Government are apparently content at

present to accept the status quo, there are certain questions on

which they are particularly sensitive. For example they have

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CONFIDENTIAL

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