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DSR 11C
committed to remain in Hong Kong for good. It does suggest
that change should come gradually in agreement with China
but above all without losing the confidence of the Hong
Kong population.
Possible Chinese Moves
24.
If this is accepted we depend on moves by Peking.
The emerging Chinese administration will be preoccupied
with its economic and internal political difficulties for
several years.
Nevertheless, by the early 1990s the Chinese
Government themselves will probably accept that some action
on their part will be necessary to prevent a collapse of
confidence.
Annex C discusses a number of options. These
exclude a take-over by force and concentrate on future
systems of government which might be negotiated with the
Chinese or evolve over a period. The different options could
overlap. It is too early to forecast even 16 years ahead.
It is possible that the Chinese might find it convenient
to acquiesce tacitly in the present arrangements running
beyond 1997. But they will not allow matters to drift
/indefinitely
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