TNAG-1173-FCO40-1465-Future-of-Hong-Kong-special-study-by-FCO-for-the-Prime-Minis-1982 — Page 39

SECRET

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b) as regards sovereignty, the Chinese must understand that abrogation of the 19th Century Treaties would require

approval by Parliament. It would be difficult to justify to public opinion. Therefore this could not be considered

as a separate or prior issue. It must be linked to the

whole question of satisfactory arrangements for the

continuation of suitable British administration in

Hong Kong. Such arrangements must therefore be considered

first. If that discussion produced a reasonable proposal which would inspire confidence in the Territory, there

would be a new situation. In those circumstances it

might be possible to consider the question of sovereignty.

But there must be no prior conditions.

R D Clift

9 September 1982

Hong Kong and General Department

SECRET