TNAG-1168-FCO40-1448-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 75

CLUB

KONG

.

The Reform Club of Hong Kong

801 FU HING BUILDING,

10 JUBILEE STREET, HONG KONG.

TEL.: 5-450001

REFORM

新

It may be speculated, from the recent moves made by the Chinese Government, that China has a possible concept of enlarging Shum Chun as a Special Economic Zone which will eventually amalgamate Hong Kong after 30th June, 1997 so as to solve the problem of the future of Hong Kong. However, in that event, whatever advantages to China either financial or economical or technical or strategical available from Hong Kong as a free port as it now is, will simply vanish, because a Special Economic Zone operated basically in a communistic way, is a lot of different from a free port as Hong Kong is now operated.

It is true that China feels justifiably very annoyed about the historical event of the Convention of Peking in 1898 and at all times China holds the view that this Convention is null and void. Nonetheless China tolerates this Convention; however, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for China to agree to any extention of the lease of New Territories beyond the date of 30th June, 1997. But nevertheless China needs Hong Kong for the four advantages, financial, economical, technical and strategical as already elaborated.

The article of Mr. Sherman clearly reveals that it is difficult for the British Government to negotiate direct with the Chinese Government over this question. But the Hong Kong Government does not even have the right of audience with China on this matter. Therefore the only persons who could influence Chinese Government to study and consider the situation now are the people of Hong Kong. The Reform Club as the oldest political party in Hong Kong cannot shirk its responsbility in this respect therefore it is worth-while thinking whether or not the following proposition would be of interest to the Chinese Government:

To declare that the whole of Hong Kong will no longer be a colony after say 1997 and the British Government will relinquish its claim to Hong Kong Island and Kowloon after 30th June 1997. Then the Chinese Government to make Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Territories a trust territory under the British administration for a term of 20 years commencing from 1st July 1997 and thereafter until the Chinese Government gives at least 10 years notice to resume their own administration. In that way the future of Hong Kong as a free port is assured for the foreseeable future but the People's Republic of China will know that after the term of 20 years certain they will be able to take easy step to amalgamate Hong Kong with their own Administration at any time on giving 10 years notice. The object of 10 years is for everyone's benefit to give adequate notice of eventual change over to another very different form of administration.

Finally, any observation from the public will be welcomed by the Reform Club.

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