CONFIDENTIAL
Menton
Early day
Motiva
BACKGROUND NOTE
1. It is a reasonable guess that Mr Hooley intends to address
his supplementary question to the subject of Hong Kong, since he is a persistent questioner on this subject. (Attached are copies of his three most recent questions to the Defence Secretary on Hong Kong). This question will almost certainly be critical of our continuing military presence and may seek to suggest means by which we could effect an early military withdrawal by agreement with the Chinese Government; or else he may wish to repeat his view that in the face of an attack from China the garrison will have only the . option "to commit suicide or to surrender", (Hansard 13 January 1976, Col. 197).
Hong Kong & China
2. At present, the indications are that the Chinese do not wish to disturb the status quo over Hong Kong; they display an empirical attitude and have been notably co-operative in recent years. Contacts with the Government of Hong Kong are regular, and are relaxed and easy. Chinese Communist Party representatives in Hong Kong regulate the activities of the local Communist organisations so as not to disturb the internal stability necessary for economic growth and thus help to maintain the financial and commercial advantages which China derives from Hong Kong. Although the lease on the New Territories (one of the three areas of which the colony consists) is due to expire in 1997 and will necessitate negotiations
at some stage, there is certainly no evidence that the Chinese
wish, at the moment, to raise with us the future of Hong Kong.
-1-
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.