TNAG-1235-FCO40-1548-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 46

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as the only colonialist part of Chinese territory. China then wants Hong Kong strongly, either for reasons of simple neatness or more probably in order to rectify the only remaining colonial problem in the legacy of history.

21. The Taiwan Supplant

Taiwan is a strong and lustily-growing economy possessing skills, technology and capital. China manages to negotiate an arrange- ment with Taiwan that joins it to China but with a strong degree. of independence, a proper autonomous region. Taiwan then sup- plants Hong Kong, replacing all its functions for China, which takes Hong Kong as its benefits are defunct.

22. The Taunting Third World

This situation is akin to number 17, The Sneering Bear, but the allegations are raised within the non-socialist Third World.

23. Third World Leadership

This is akin to number 18 and 19, both versions of socialist leadership, only China seeks to be seen as the clear leader of the Third World. It might be allied to a movement to pull the Third World into a closer grouping with China at the head. Colonialism must be expunged for such a movement to have more chance of

success.

24. The Distant Threat

A growing power in Asia is seen by China as constituting a potential threat in the future. This could be an Asian country, such as Japan or Vietnam, or a country usually considered to be outside the region, such as the U.S.S.R. or any combination of countries. China wants safety and secure borders and fears that Hong Kong could be a weak link, and takes it as a precautionary or pre-emptive measure.

25. Abandoning the Baby

The United Kingdom decides to bring to a close its colonial chapter in history and withdraws its title to Hong Kong, probably with due notice. The government in Hong Kong no longer repre- sents the U.K. and either hands back the colony or simply leaves. China recovers its lost territory.

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