TNAG-0839-FCO40-1048-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-China-1979 — Page 162

CONFIDENTIAL

subterfuge, though this is not our conclusion. Just

as our aim must be to discourage reversion by China to

the old isolation, so it is essential that the West

should continue to pursue détente with the Soviet Union

on our terms, not on theirs in the hope that this policy

will lead eventually to a mellowing of Soviet attitudes-

towards the West, strengthen the vested interests in the

Soviet Union in favour of peaceful cooperation, and

minimise the risk of reversion to a more confrontational

East/West relationship. In seeking to improve

Sino-British relations, we must continue to try to

convince the Russians that this policy is not directed

against their interests, and to ensure that it does not

undermine the overriding requirements of our détente

policy.

6. In the UN context, China's special position creates

both problems and opportunities. I do not see how

the longer term issues of security, disarmament and non-

proliferation and world poverty can be solved without

Chinese involvement; and it is essential that the

Chinese should come to see that their own interests also

require it. The internationalisation of China's policies

is an interest which Britain shares with the West as a

whole.

Today

7. There have been times in the past when Hong Kong has

been an irritant in our relations with China.

there can be very little doubt that the stability of

Hong Kong, the strength of its economy, and the

/sperity