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the territory remains of value to China. Economic prosperity also makes political uncertainty and social instability easier to manage. But prosperity is not, of course, wholly within the gift of the Hong Kong Government. We depend probably more than anywhere else on external factors for our economic success. Overseas confidence, and the investment that flows from it, are vital. So we must also give a high priority to hammering home in our overseas markets the message that Hong Kong has the will and the ability to overcome this latest crisis as it has overcome so many previous ones.
32.
In addition to repairing the damage that has been done, we shall have to prepare the people of Hong Kong for more upheavals in the future, most obviously when Deng Xiaoping dies or otherwise disappears from the Chinese political scene. We must also make clear to the Chinese Government how much Hong Kong has been damaged by recent events and try to make them understand that, if confidence in the future is to be restored, they must take full account of this in their policy towards the territory, in
particular the drafting of the Basic Law. They may well not be receptive to this message. Initial omens are not good. They have other priorities which sometimes run diametrically opposed to those of Hong Kong, for instance both on the development of our political system and on the stationing here of the People's Liberation Army. Nevertheless it remains a vital truth, as your predecessor pointed out in the House of Commons debate on 13 July, that China's attitude is crucial to the restoration of confidence in Hong Kong.
33. We can do much for ourselves. It is right that we should. More than ever, Hong Kong must now stand on its own feet. But we will continue to depend on the help and support of Her Majesty's Government who have the responsibility for Hong Kong until 1 July 1997. The relationship between metropolitan country and dependent territory is never
Much emotion and many unfulfillable expectations are bound up in it on both sides. The relationship when the metropolitan power is preparing to transfer sovereignty to a hated and feared alternative is even harder to manage.
easy.
34.
The people of Hong Kong, facing an uncertain future not of their choosing, are likely, I fear, to continue to vent their frustrations on the outgoing metropolitan power. As I have pointed out before (my despatch of 16
July 1988), they will make demands that may seem unreasonable or immature, or even not in Hong Kong's best interests. But I hold to my conclusion then
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