TNAG-1259-FCO40-1599-The-Future-of-Hong-Kong---special-study-by-FCO--August-1982--1983 — Page 66

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allowed!

HMG, though in certain areas, including trade, immigration and finance, the Hong Kong Government is entrusted by HMG

with power to conduct some external relations.

A Political

Adviser (seconded from the FCO) advises on external policy

aspects of Hong Kong Government policies.

Dpossibl

Possible Changes

Simple Acknowledgement of Chinese sovereignty

11.

simple acknowledgement by HMG of Chinese sovereignty

would imply that the UK no longer had sovereignty over the

ceded areas, and also that the international lease of the

New Territories had no continuing validity in international

law.

If it were unrequited, the UK would no longer be able

in practice to administer the territory as a colony. There

would be no point in making such a concession except in

return for a concession by the PRC that British administration

of the territory could nevertheless continue.

Acknowledgement of eventual Chinese sovereignty

12. HMG could acknowledge that sovereignty over the ceded

areas should eventually be restored to China at an appropriate

future time after 1997 to be agreed later with the PRC on the

understanding that British administration of the whole territory

should continue until the agreed date. This device could be

/acceptable

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