FCO_49_622_PLANNING_PAPER_ON_HONG_KONG_1976 — Page 27

Page27 of 203 CRET Page 27 of 263.

"As is known to all, the questions of Hong Kong

and Macao belong to the category of questions

resulting from the series of unequal treaties

left over by history, treaties which the

imperialists imposed on China. Hong Kong and

Macao are part of Chinese territory occupied by

the British and Portuguese authorities. The

settlement of the questions of Hong Kong and

Macao is entirely within China's sovereign right

and does not at all fall under the ordinary cate-

gory of "Colonial Territories". Consequently,

they should not be included in the list of

Colonial Territories covered by the Declaration

on the Granting of Independence to Colonial

Countries and Peoples. With regard to the

questions of Hong Kong and Macao, the Chinese

Government has consistently held that they should

be settled in an appropriate way when conditions

are ripe."

Privately Chinese leaders at the highest level have let it

be known that while a problem exists, it is for the next

generation (or alternatively tow or three generations) to

solve. They have also said that there will need to be

negotiations over the future of Hong Kong in due course and

that meanwhile they will take no precipitate action.

Page 27

Page 27

Page 27

i

!

1

1

t

|

1

+