WOZAPW
HKB 020/7
Reference
FILE
16
CODE 18-77
Mr January WIAD
MP'S LETTER: POLICY ON DEPENDENT TERRITORIES
Your minutes of 20 and 25 April refer. I have no comments the draft reply to Mr Field enclosed with your second minute.
1.
2.
I suggest the following passage on Hong Kong:
on
the
"Hong Kong's position is of course unique in that 92% of the territory is held on a lease from China. It was clear that remaining 8 per cent of Hong Kong's land
area would not be viable without the New Territories which contain most of the territory's agriculture and industry, its power stations and its airport and container port.
It was
of
the
Government against this background that the British resolved to remove the uncertainty created by the expiry New Territories lease on 30 June 1997 by opening discussions with the Chinese Government about Hong Kong's future. The British side initially argued hard for the retention of British administration in Hong Kong after 1997. But after protracted discussion it became clear that the continuation of British administration ws unacceptable to the Chinese Government and that the talks would break down if the British Government continued to insist on it.
Since most of Hong Kong would
in any case under the Treaty pass under Chinese jurisdiction in 1997, the only way forward was to explore the possibility of negotiating arrangements under Chinese sovereignty, which would comman d sufficient confidence to
future ensure Hong Kong's stability and prosperity.
When the Sino-British Joint Liaison Declaration was finally agreed in September 1984, there was general recognition both in the territory and internationally that a document containing such detailed and comprehensive provision for Hong Kong's future was the best that could have been achieved in the circumstances".
27 April 1989
Cc:
Mr Dew, FID
Mr
Mr
Peart, SPD
Beaumont, SED
Mr Powell, Planners
Riding Morde
R M Marsden
Hong Kong Department WH305
270 2650
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.