FCO_49_622_PLANNING_PAPER_ON_HONG_KONG_1976 — Page 143

Page 143 SECRET

ANNEX A

Page 143

SIGNALS BY WHICH CHINESE ATTITUDES TO HONG KONG CAN BE

ASSESSED

1. These are both positive and negative, the first deriving from the most recent past and the latter drawn

from the lessons learned at the time of the Cultural

Revolution in 1966/67.

Positive

1.

Present evidence of Chinese tolerance of Hong Kong

includes:

(a) very low key references to China's official

position on the status of Hong Kong in

international bodies and in their relations

with us;

(b) cooperation over illegal immigrants;

(c) instructions to Communist trade unions to

avoid disruptive action

(particularly helpful in the current recession); (d) instructions to cadres to view Hong Kong

situation in terms of Chinese foreign policy both general and towards UK;

(e) provision of services and supplies for Hong

Kong e.g. foodstuffs at reasonable prices, new

water supplies, raw materials;

(f) cooperation over minor incidents e.g. servicemen

straying across the border;

(g) willingness to invest e.g. in shipyards;

(h) a refusal to take back Macao despite Portuguese

offer;

(i) efforts made to calm the situation in Macao at present riven with internal disputes.

1

/Negative

Page 143

Page 143

Page 143

SECRET