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SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
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PRIVACY MARKING
TOP SECRET
DRAFT
SUBMISSION
To:-
Me Wilford
Sir D Weteen Si, E. Nomis
Private Secretary
Type 1 +
FROM
A C Stuart
Telephone No. Ext.
Department
Copy to:
...In Confidence
Mr Cable Flas A
(Planning Staff Su D Wition Sir E Norris
PS to PUS
PS to Mr Royle
No Wilfordo.r.
understanding
THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG
1. We are committed to an annual review by the
le
DOPC of the future of Hong Kong. 2. There is no need to rehearse at higth the reasons why was
fully covered in DOP(11) 83 Nothing has happened during 1972 to invalidate
that paper.
the argument of DOP(71)83.
Theph
Indeed the line which
the Chinese leaders took with the Secretary of
State in November strengthens our previous
conclusions. We should make this point in a new
paper.
3.
I think we should also deal with the question
deal
of the timing of any approach to the Chinese, which
papel.
the
was not covered in 1971 There is a growing
likelihood of public discussion which could damage
confidence in Hong Kong. Moreover, we should not
risk getting into a situation where hostility from
the present or a subsequent Chinese government had
damaged confidence to the point where we had to
negotiate in unfavourable circumstances.
therefore be on the lookout for a favourable
We should
opportunity for informal negotiations of soundings.
4. If we were prepared to abandon the hope of
staying beyond 1997, the chance of an agreement -
on orderly withdrawal in 1997 probably exists now.
It is also possible that this chance may disappear
when
7
Eif it is not taken while the present Chinese leaders
(16940) Dd.897300 400m 9/72 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863
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