TNAG-1037-FCO40-1287-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 39

1

!

SECRET

-2-

representative in Hong Kong;

c) a degree of Chinese Government participation in the

administration of Hong Kong.

4. (a) would raise legal and major political difficulties.

The

former would be soluble but the risk of damaging confidence in

Hong Kong would be so great that we could only make a statement

on Chinese sovereignty in return for a specific undertaking which

would maintain the future of Hong Kong, eg on continuing British

It would be very difficult to negotiate.

administration.

5. (b) is legally feasible.

Were the representative a liaison

official with quasi-diplomatic functions, his appointment would

not raise too many problems.

But we should still not make such

a concession without as specific an undertaking as possible from

the Chinese, eg on land leases.

6: (c) would raise serious problems, whether Chinese participation

were channelled through their representative in Hong Kong or in

another form. It would lead to disagreements, eg over the control

and use of the security forces, law and order and immigration.

We should not accept anything more than an undertaking on discussion

with the Chinese on matters of legitimate interest to them; we

should seek concessions in return.

LONG-TERM

7. Should HMG itself contemplate withdrawal?

Although the economic

pros and cons of our presence are about even, there are serious

problems for any British government both in retaining responsibility

for Hong Kong and in taking the initiative to leave.

Remaining in Hong Kong

8. a) HMG is accountable in Hong Kong and in Parliament for

the conduct of administration in the Territory;

靠

SECRET

/b)