(16941) Deb′ 7 90 1
177 GIV.B.Ltd. Op.853
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and that the material and moral balance of advantage
to us is to maintain the status quo.
5.
Although the Chinese Government in theory regard
all the Hong Kong treaties as unequal and not therefor
binding on themselves, in practice they still connect
the need for negotiations with the expiry of the
lease of the New Territories in 1997. Chou En-lai
repeated this to Lord Thomson in October 1972. 1997
therefore remains the target date for the completion
of a new understanding on retention or withdrawal.
6. Our current line is that there is no question of
a change in the status of Hong Kong in the foreseeable
future. With 24 years in hand this is still realistic
A problem which will increase with time, however, will
be to avoid damaging public discussion of the future.
Hong Kong's prosperity depends on confidence. This
relates not only to business confidence, but also to
the willingness of the Chinese population to work for
the British. The new Governor has made a good start
in developing Hong Kong into a place where people
wish to live and work. But as 1997 approaches they
will inevitably begin to question their future.
the UK the immigration lobby have already expressed
anxiety about the mood possibility of a massive
inflow from Hong Kong after a takeover by Chine, while
members of the Tribune Group are considering an attack
on a policy which they claim lulls the Chinese
population of Hong Kong into a sense of false
In
security in the interests of big business. If public
discussion led to a serious loss of confidence in
Hong Kong the Colony could become difficult to govern.
17.
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