7386 D073815 140M 5/74 Cr.P.C. Gp.839/3
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
F
On occasions
In the past thing hause suught to
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to Colonial Countries and Peoples. With regard to the questions of Hong Kong and Macau, the Chinese Government has
consistently held that they should be
settled in an appropriate way when conditions are ripe."
Privately Chinese leaders at the highest level have let it be known that while a problem exists, it is for the next generation (or alternatively two or three generations) to solve. They have also said that there will need to be negotiations over the future of Hong Kong in due course and that meanwhile they will
preapitite take no surprise action.
9. This, from their point of view, is a satisfactory formula for reconciling their ideological and nationalistic commitment to repossession with more pragmatic considerations favouring the continuance of the status quo. It is scarcely to be expected that they could decide now whether economic or political factors in China will make it desirable to continue
special arrangements for Hong Kong; but even if they do accept this, they are most unlikely to admit it, particularly, with the succession to Mao still to be decided. The formula for public consumption is consistent with the signals about current Chinese attitudes manifest in their actions in specific situations (see Annex A). It also carries the corollary that for China the internal affairs of the Colony are an exclusively British responsibility with the proviso that nothing should be done internally (eg in the way of developing representative institutions) which could infringe the Chinese claim that Hong Kong is, and will remain,-a part of China.
10.
But China's attitude towards the Colony has varied with the years and the fact that it is at present favourable, provided the status quo is maintained, is no argument for believing that it will
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