TNAG-1036-FCO40-1286-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 120

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in the United Kingdom's international air service

agreements. As accommodation would be necessary on

this.

d) Defence:

The role of the British Garrison in a

transitional period would create major problems.

It would be necessary to decide whether British

troops should remain in the long-term.

A close

relationship with China in this area would raise

serious difficulties on the ground and would have to

be reconciled with

other international

our

commitments.

e) Legal: The nature of the legal problems for HMG

would depend on the extent of participation by

Britain in the administration of the Territory

under the new system. The range would include:

i)The legacy of the unequal treaties on which

present British rule rests; how can these

be replaced without a new treaty?

ii) The reconciliation of continuing British

administration with a recognition of ultimate

Chinese sovereigntynd 0532000 400 m 5178 HMSO Bracknell

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/iii)

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