TNAG-0568-FCO40-701-Planning-paper-on-Hong-Kong-1976 — Page 116

7386 D073815 140M 5/74 Cr.P.C. Gp.839/3

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of the continuing tranquillity of China, become increasingly difficult to defend publicly as the attention of the Hong Kong public turns to the consideration of the future. But it is the "least

risk" policy and the one best suited to present

circumstances.

Carlinal

will be

which is of Efuition in che in-up ite 1

Kerifured ally.c

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the Chinese

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ite

cli

will

Even

to a large so that

IV

Internal Policies

17. On the above assumptions, the Secretary of State will continue to be constitutionally responsible for Hong Kong for some time to come and it is highly likely that this responsibility will need to be exercised against a background of continuing, and perhaps increasing, criticism of the Colony in Parliament, and in political circles more generally. Furthermore the prosperity and tranquillity of the Colony will be of cardinal importance in the run-up to the proposed attempt to negotiate with the Chinese in the mid-1980s. It is thus constitutionally

in its holin

iti

defirda

eating pre important, and in the national interest, that prospect

chkarid poozen: dizt

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in/arrie Augains

pozitie & could

6.

difficilling

move

ZVC.

Hong Kong's internal policies should develop in ways that HMG regard as right in themselves and defensible in public.

18. An analysis of the Hong Kong Government's

performance since the war and of its future plans for economic, social and political development as viewed from the FCO is given in Annex C. This section of the paper attempts on this basis to outline the prospects for further development over the next decade. It is important to recognise the

requificar achievements of the Hong Kong administration since

fille Neane major ity Cordes the war and the enormous odds against which these

massive infled if refrigos for blence have been accomplished. We accept that the proposals

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2.9

for further progress mentioned in Annex C have often

hain in the font Ellen. been considered and many of them, rejected by the colonial Government in the light of their appreciation

of local conditions. But in the discharge of

our constitutional responsibilities for the welfare of the

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/inhabitants