TNAG-0839-FCO40-1048-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-China-1979 — Page 168

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

Regis do.

ECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Top Secret,

Secret.

Confidential.

Restricted.

Unclassified.

RIVACY MARKING

In Confidence

CONFIDENTIAL

DESPATCH

DRAFT

Type 1 +

From

To:-

BRITAIN'S RELATIONS WITH CHINA

Telephone No. Ext.

Department

DSR 11

1. I was grateful for your despatch on the internal

situation in China and your tentative conclusions on

its implications for the future of China's relations

with the outside world. This provided timely background

to the decisions my colleagues and I have to take about

the future development of our relations with China.

2.

like-

Your despatch makes clear both how turbulent and

how self-centred China has been for much of the period since

the collapse of the Manchu dynasty; and how unused the

Chinese have been, historically speaking, to treating

with the outside world on the basis of anything/approaching,

equality. The Chinese will have to do much to convince

the rest of the world that the new look is the norm and

not a temporary aberration from a traditional pattern.

The leaders who have emerged since Mao's death appear

to understand that a profound transformation of internal

policies and external relationships is needed, if China

is to achieve stability, prosperity and a rightful place

on the international scene. It is important that the trans-

should formation/stick: China will be an uncertain and difficult

country for future generations to live with if it does not.

As you indicate, the trends that have emerged since Deng Xiaoping's return to power are nevertheless encouraging

/and deserve

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.