The Chinese View
3. The full picture of Chinese attitudes and long-term
policy on Hong Kong remains conjectural. There is consider
able evidence of ignorance and misunderstanding of the
Hong Kong problem among the Chinese, particularly the
question of investor confidence, and even among those
Certai officials who might be expected to be well informed.
elements, however, seem clear. The Chinese see Hong Kong ic
its present form as useful to them now and in the immediate
future. But there are serious political inhibitions on
their accepting indefinite continuance of the status quo.
They neither accept nor have they abrogated the 19th Centur
treaties on Hong Kong. Technically, it is open to them to
disregard 1997, but to do so would be politically difficult
as it would expose the leaders involved to the accusation o
'selling out' China to foreigners. In practice, and becaus
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