TNAG-1036-FCO40-1286-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 108

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DSR 11C

difficulty over individual land leases. We would need to use

a concession over a Chinese representative to obtain as

concrete undertakings as possible from the Chinese on these

points. These should go beyond the general assurances which

Chinese leaders have given so far. We would need at least

an arrangement whereby the issue of more than one land lease

beyond 1997 was clearly accepted and endorsed by the Chinese

communist central as well as local authorities.

Chinese Participation in Hong Kong Administration

14. The range of possible demands is given in paragraph 8(c)

above. The more extreme proposals, such as membership of the

Executive and/or Legislative Councils, are very unlikely to

be made by the Chinese, who would themselves not wish to

upset confidence. But it is not to be ruled out that they

might try to obtain for a Chinese representative rights of

consultation which could in practice amount to a veto on

certain actions by the Hong Kong Government.

15. Any concession on HMG's part in this direction would

create very serious difficulties.

insuperable.

Legally these would not be

There could, it is true, be problems if the

Chinese claimed rights of representation on behalf of Hong

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/Kong

bd 0532000 400 M 5/78 HMSO Bracknell