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Shanghai entrepreneurial class after 1948 when ideological and pragmatic considerations were similarly reconciled.
4.
Nothing, in his view, would be gained by threatening the Chinese with premature withdrawal if they failed to cooperate over Hong Kong. They would simply, as in Macao, refuse to take the territory back and meanwhile force us as tenants to pay a progressively higher rent for it. The way forward, therefore, was to look for a well constructed understanding on the future of Anglo/Chinese relations generally in which satisfactory arrangements for Hong Kong could be secured as one, but only one, element. It would be necessary to recognise Chinese sovereignty de jure (privately) in exchange for China letting it be known through their many channels in Hong Kong that they remain content with the continuing existence of the British administration. An outward and visible sign of this understanding over Hong Kong would be Chinese cooperation in the joint exploitation of the harbour, the airport, oil refinery facilities, nuclear power
etc.
5.
Another sign could be the appointment of an official Chinese representative within the context of closer Anglo/Chinese relations. Presented in the right way in this context, Mr Donald's view is that the appointment could be sold to influential opinion in Hong Kong as a stabilising and not a destabilising influence. He
observed that the head of the NCNA was well known to be the unofficial
representative of China and, indeed, already is something of a figurehead as compared with his deputy, who is the real power behind the throne. The granting of an honorific title, certainly to those
who followed matters closely and these include the heads of the largest British and Chinese firms would be regarded as a not very significant move but one in the right direction. He cited a number of examples including Mr Bremridge, the present Chairman of John Swire Ltd, as holding this view.
6.
I found this a refreshing contribution to the debate, partly because I am all too conscious that the draft outline paper "Hong Kong: Long Range Planning" presents strong reasons for leaving
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