TNAG-1218-FCO40-1523-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1983 — Page 97

CONFIDENTIAL

BACKGROUND

HONG KONG

1.

Ministers have often stressed HMG's obligations

and commitments to the dependencies as a whole. However, the political circumstances in which these are

expressed vary. In particular, our relationship to Hong Kong is affected by the political realities of its proximity to China and now also by the fact that talks with the Chinese over the future of the territory have begun.

2. While careful efforts are being made to involve the Hong Kong Executive Council in discussions on the future and the handling of the talks with the Chinese, political circumstances make it impossible for HMG to go as far in asserting the paramountcy of the wishes of the people of Hong Kong as has been true in the case of the Falkland Islands. Thus, it is necessary to avoid accepting the idea of paramountcy as a general concept applicable to all the Dependencies.

3.

Similarly, it is accepted that Hong Kong is in the last resort* not defensible against a military attack in force by the Chinese. It is therefore necessary to avoid making any general commitment that HMG would defend, by force if necessary, the territorial integrity of all Dependencies. On the other hand, any suggestion that HMG would not defend any Dependency against attack should also be avoided.

4. Mr Stanbrook, or other members, may put forward proposals that would result in less strong commitments being made to Hong Kong than to other Dependencies, or a closer form of association being introduced between UK and other Dependencies apart from Hong Kong. It is absolutely essential for the maintenance of confidence in Hong Kong that HMG's commitment to the territory should not be weakened in any way, and that there should be no suggestion that HMG might differentiate in any way between H ̧ng Kong and other Dependencies (apart from the question of British citizenship for the people of Gibraltar and the Falklands).

CONFIDENTIAL