LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS'S MEETING WITH MR KEVIN SINCLAIR OF THE
SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST - 10 DECEMBER 1975
BRIEF NO. 8
HONG KONG AND ANGLO/CHINESE RELATIONS
Line to Take
1. Anglo-Chinese relations are good. HMG see no reason why
Hong Kong should become an issue between the two governments.
2. We would expect successive Chinese Governments to continue
to maintain their view that Hong Kong is part of China. But
they have consistently held that the question of Hong Kong should
be settled in an appropriate way when the conditions are ripe.
3. HMG's present policy is to administer Hong Kong in the
interests of its inhabitants and to make it a place in which they
can pursue fruitful and productive lives. It is our hope that
this will reduce the risks of internal disorders in the Colony
which might cause the Chinese Government to revise its present
attitude of tolerance towards the status quo.
Defensive Points
1.
The expiry of the New Territories lease
1997 is a very long way ahead and a great deal will have
happened, not only in the area but in other parts of the world
as well, between now and 1997. It is not possible to predict what the circustances will be at such a distant point in time.
M
Hong Kong and the Secretary of State's visit to Peking in
May 1976
2.
The Secretary of State expects to have wide-ranging talks. Should the Chinese raise the matter of Hong Kong he will, of course, listen carefully to what they have to say.
3. Chinese representation in Hong Kong
There have been no recent discussions with the Chinese about
their previous proposal for the establishment of an official
Chinese representative for Hong Kong.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.