Registry No.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret.
Secret.
Confidential.
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Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
TOP SECRET
DOPC PAPER
DRAFT
PAPER
To:-
Type 1 +
FROM
Telephone No. Ext.
Department
CABINET
DEFENCE AND OVERSEA POLICY COMMITTEE
THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG
Memorandum by the Secretary of State for Foreign
and Commonwealth Affairs
1. In December 1971, my colleagues agreed with the conclusions of DOP(71)83 that our policy for Hong Kong
should be to maintain the status quo and to take
preliminary informal soundings with the Chinese
Government nearer 1997, with a view to:
!
(i) securing an indication from the Chinese that
they will not interfere with the present
(ii)
arrangements after 1997; or
securing an indication that they will agree
to negotiate new terms for a lease; or,
failing either of these;
(iii) negotiating an orderly withdrawal in 1997.
2.
During 1972 the Chinese Government have
reaffirmed that:
(a) they regard Hong Kong as an integral part
of China;
(b) they are nevertheless in no hurry to recover
the territory and have no present intention
of disturbing the status quo;
/(c)
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