CONFIDENTIAL
GENERAL LINE TO TAKE WITH MEMBERS OF EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS
8.
The future of Hong Kong depends partly on itself, and
partly on a strong Britain. Without both of these elements
Hong Kong as such cannot survive. Britain is now primarily a
European power, but we have no intention of abandoning Hong
Kong. There is a mutual balance of interests and obligations.
9. After the war Hong Kong was built up by the energy of its inhabitants with effective and impartial British administration,
into one of the great city states of the world. Substantial
difficulties have been overcome in partnership between the UK
and Hong Kong Governments and the people of Hong Kong. Good
relations between Britain and China have assured stability in
Hong Kong. We have done much to protect Hong Kong's interests.
10. In some instances, however, matters do not rest solely in
the hands of HMG. An example is our alignment on 1 January
with the EEC Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), which will
involve discrimination against Hong Kong over their textile and
footwear exports. There was no possibility of persuading our
partners before 1 January to agree to changes in the scheme to
benefit Hong Kong; but at a recent meeting of the Council of
Ministers we put them firmly on notice that we intend to press
most resolutely next year for improvements to benefit Hong
Kong. We shall do this.
11. In the same spirit we are anxious to promote a Community
textile-trade policy whose effect over the next few years
should be to open up the markets of our more restrictive
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CONFIDENTIAL
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