TNAG-1038-FCO40-1288-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 156

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

Chinese Assistent Foreign Minister. Song 2 higuang

7

SECRET

This wording probably made easier negotiations for

establishing diplomatic relations between Portugal and China which were finally concluded in 1979. So far

as is known the new wording did not result from any prior discussions with the Chinese but it was presumably designed to take account of the Chinese view of Macau.

6.

2.

During the discussions which led up to the establishment of Sino/Portuguese, diplomatic relations, there was almost certainly some private agreement about

Macau. Its precise nature is unclear. According to

one version there was a confidential understanding that

Macau is Chinese territory under Portuguese administration,

to be handed back at some undefined point in future.

in an interview wit alternative version is that there was an exchange of

Reuters in March 1981, said that

statements with China saying that Macau is Chinese

China's sover the Portuguese saying that they respected this position. Portugal fed recogised territory under temporary Portuguese administration and

Macão, but casua Lad never keless close... not to take back t

Territory pst.

།>

7.

Macau.

An

There is no official Chinese representative in

Chinese influence is made felt either through

unofficial intermediaries, such as the millionaire Ho Yin,

or through the leading Chinese Communist Party member in

Macau, Ke Zhengping whose overt role is Manager of the

Nan Guang Trading Corporation.

Chinese influence over

the Government of Macau reached its height following

Cultural Revolution-inspired riots in 1966 and the acceptance

by the Governor of a series of humiliating demands, some

of which were put forward directly by the Guangdong

authorities. Chinese domination of Macau has since receded,

largely as a result of a deliberate policy of self-denial

on the Chinese side. But the Macau Government still takes

care to consult Chinese unofficial representatives, or

sound them out indirectly, on important issues. China's

ability to influence events in Macau remains great. In

1980 pressure from China, expressed at one point openly in

the Hong Kong communist press, contributed to the abandonment

of schemes for reform of the Legislative Assembly which

would have given a predominant voice to elected members.

SECRET

/contd.....

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