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otherwise the expiry of the New Territories Lease in 1997 is likely to lead to a fairly rapid loss of confidence in Hong Kong from the mid-1980s onwards. It may be that some moves along the lines of those envisaged by Mrs Elliott will form a part of such an under- standing; in any event, it should be easier to introduce them once an understanding has been achieved. In the meantime we should be careful not to make changes which might prejudice the chances of reaching a satisfactory accommodation with China. It would also be best to avoid detailed public discussion of what changes in the political organization of Hong Kong might be possible or desirable and when they might be introduced.
6. Against this background Lord Goronwy-Roberts replied to the Councillors' original letter on 1 August pointing out that, while HMG wished to see appropriate moves at the right time towards more representative government in Hong Kong, the problem was to decide what was appropriate and when. He stressed the need for patience and caution, in order not to undermine confidence in Hong Kong. This answer evidently did not satisfy the Councillors who have now written to the Secretary of State renewing their proposals.
7.
In their latest letter, which makes no new points, the Councillors refer to what they see as the lack of progress in Hong Kong since it was founded; the tendency of successive British governments to cater only for the interests of big business and to ignore injustices to the people; the government's toleration of the drug trade and corruption; and its refusal to acknowledge the facts about public feeling in the territory. There is also a highly tendentious analogy between the situation in Rhodesia and in Hong Kong. This kind of over-statement is, I. fear, characteristic of Mrs Elliott and loses her much sympathy among the people in Hong Kong who are otherwise well disposed to some at least of her arguments. There is little to be gained from trying to rebut the charges made. I suggest that the reply need do little more than reiterate the points made by Lord Goronwy-Roberts in his earlier letter since the situation has not changed in the
meantime.
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