TNAG-1252-FCO40-1585-Third-countries-and-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 79

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concentrate on arrangements to maintain the

stability and prosperity of Hong Kong. In our view

this means the presentation of the maximum degree

of continuity in the administration of the Territory

We are ready to find new arrangements for the future

and are not inflexible on any point, but we must be

sure that what is agreed will genuinely meet

Hong Kong's interests and is acceptable to the

Hong Kong people and to Parliament.

3.

Since the Prime Minister's visit, the Chinese

have through indirect channels been putting out

propaganda designed to persuade the people of

Hong Kong that the assumption of sovereignty by

China is inevitable, and that the incorporation of Hong Kong into a special autonomous region of

China could take place with a considerable degree of

autonomy and without major changes in the social

and economic systems. While the campaign may have

had some effect, most Hong Kong Chinese remain

highly sceptical, in view of China's recent turbulent

history and record. The basic problem is that

Hong Kong people are looking for guarantees against

Chinese interference, and these general assurances

do not provide anything like the security which the

link with Britain offers. The general mood in Hong

Kong seems to have stabilized a little in recent

months, but confidence remains fragile and could be

seriously affected at any time by ill-judged Chinese

statements.

The Chinese ideas do not have any official

stamp at present but they are widely publicised and

4.

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