FCO_49_622_PLANNING_PAPER_ON_HONG_KONG_1976 — Page 18

I

subjects increases.

PagS8 203CRETPage 18 of 2034.

The problem is also compounded by

uncertainties over the succession to Mao Tse-tung in

China. This paper attempts to outline a strategy for the

handling of the problem over the next decade, and is

divided into six sections dealing respectively with the

interests of the people of Hong Kong, the British

interest in Hong Kong; the Chinese interest; and Hong

Kong's external relations, internal policies and relations

with the United Kingdom. The main conclusions are:

(a) that there is little or nothing that can be

done to settle Hong Kong's long term future until

the next generation of Chinese leaders have emerged

and their policies heen established but meanwhile

HMG should avoid any action that may cause China

to make difficulties for the Colony;

(b) that meanwhile we shall need to plan a strategy of

social and institutional reform in consultation with

the Hong Kong Government for completion by the mid-

1980s; and

(c) that great care will need to be exercised both by

Hong Kong and HMG to maintain the link between them.

The Interests of the People of Hong Kong

3.

Unlike any other Colony Hong Kong does not

contain a conquered population. It is a population which

has voluntarily gone to live there to enjoy the conditions

we have created. When the territory was

Page 18 of "re only 5,000 in and there are

esact

inhabita‡ão

acquired there

non nowage 1

million

203

Nor