TNAG-1173-FCO40-1465-Future-of-Hong-Kong-special-study-by-FCO-for-the-Prime-Minis-1982 — Page 176

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11. If Chinese sovereignty over Hong Kong were conceded, but

British administration continued, China would become the

international person with ultimate responsibility, so it

would be logical for the UK to have responsibility for

conduct, ie (b) rather than (a). This would accord with the

'caretaker' notion and the 'safeguarding of Chinese

sovereignty'. But it is not certain that the Chinese would

recognise the distinction.

Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region

12. Similar considerations will apply in this case, but it

would be even more important to have a cast iron agreement

that, despite Hong Kong's nominal position as a Special

Administrative Region, conduct of external relations remained

with the UK.

Local Authority

13. The UK would continue to consult the Hong Kong Government

in exercising its responsibility and arrangements could be

made for more extensive delegation to the Hong Kong Government

in the field of external relations than exist at present,

thus conferring a greater degree of autonomy on Hong Kong.

Nevertheless there would be practical and jurisprudential

obstacles to the delegation of authority throughout the field

of international relations.

Conclusions

14. In order to retain confidence, the UK would need to

possess, and to be seen as possessing, effective international

/responsibility

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