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12th January, 1990.
The Editor,
Times Newspapers Ltd., 1 Pennington Street, London E.1.
Dear
Sim,
After ten days in Hong Kong (my thirtieth visit since 1975) it is clear we all need a signal from the East soon, resolving the crisis of confidence between Beijing, Hong Kong and London and not simply a passport proposal.
It is also clear that Mr. Hurd, whom so many of us admire, may get hostile receptions next week out there. He deserves our support in his efforts to show the Chinese leaders that a mutation in political philosophy quite as profound as the end of human sacrifice in religious ceremonies is spreading Eastward as had been re-confirmed by the Human Rights Revolution going on in the Warsaw Pact Countries. Perhaps he can also convince them it is better to think of Hong Kong in terms of
Не a treasure-trove than as an outpost of western student subversion. can also remind everybody that the media, who have had so much effect in this latest thought mutation, have ensured that terror and corruption will not only get public exposure, but also a fair trial.
Mr. Hurd should also encourage Hong Kong to be more sensitive to the fears of subversion in Beijing which must be just as strong as Hong Kong's own nightmare of PRC bullets. If the final communique reiterates and confirms tripartite acceptance of the proposed "one nation, two systems", the aforesaid mutation of thought abroad should dissolve these fears, because it would show the PRC as willing to avoid street disturbances like those of the Warsaw Pact Countries and to concentrate on reaping the benefits Hong Kong can offer Beijing.
On
the way to this conclusion Mr. Hurd should remind everyone what FCO policies have achieved in Hong Kong in less than a hundred years, how we have turned steep barren rocks and a small plain into a remarkable modern City-State, all through a subtle blend of British and Chinese enterprise led by good FCO management. He can remind Hong Kong residents of the triumph of their development, which surely ensures them a place in history and, more important, the potential of being needed by the People's Republic for expertise as well as nearly tripling its foreign revenues. He can thus encourage Beijing to see that Mao's remarkable achievements in their very late developing country can best be fructified by supporting Governor Wilson's ambitious plans for Hong Kong's construction and education expansion into the next century.
Yours sincerely,
John Butterfield
Lord Butterfield of Stechford
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