TNAG-1234-FCO40-1547-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 32

From Robert Adley MP

20/207

+k+GD for draft

vedypse

HOUSE OF COMMONS

LONDON SWIA QAA

2 Joen

Ps/Lord Bolstead MyDonald.

LIKKO 40|| 18th January 1983

LATO

INDEX

- 2 FEB 1983

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Sex81

107

Thank you for your letter of 30th December about UK/China relations. I have read your letter a number of times before replying as I am extremely concerned about one particular point you make.

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indeed have

Let me start off by saying that I knew Hong Kong well known the place for over 25 years. I was there four times last year. Obviously, one wishes Hong Kong well and hopes to see its future secured by agreement between the UK and the People's Republic. However, I cannot be anything but concerned by your comment 'it would not be right to place a higher premium on good UK/China relations than on this fundamental moral responsibility.'

the latter referring to the future of Hong Kong.

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Hong Kong's status in its present form has always been finite and dependent on renegotiation of the arrangements from 1997.

Very many

of those who campaign most vociferously for Hong Kong are those who have taken up residence there in their own life-time. Having studied Greek logic at school the following points seem incontravertible:

1. The future of Hong Kong has to be renegotiated for post-1997.

2.

3.

4.

It has always been said that Hong Kong Island without the New Territories is not economically viable.

Arising from 1 and 2 above, renegotiation of the terms both for Hong Kong and for the New Territories is essential if Hong Kong is to remain economically and politically viable.

as

If 3 above is to take place it will be done by talk and not war we clearly have no intention of fighting the People's Republic of China over the future of Hong Kong.

Taking these four points as a whole, we are left, are we not, with the following proposition: that we have to renegotiate the Hong Kong position: and that this renegotiation, unless we are prepared to go. to war, will have to be on terms dictated by the People's Republic rather than by Her Majesty's Government. This, I am sure, understood and accepted by most thoughtful people in Hong Kong who have long been aware of the position. On the broadest global front, the relations of Britain/the EEC/ the West, the People's Republic.is a vital factor in the balance of world power, particularly viz-a-viz China and the Soviet Union. It seems to me folly actually to say that we would be prepared to jeopardise our relations with the People's

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