W(B)L 51-7433
NOTHING TO BE Written in THIS MARGIN
Registry HWB 2/7 No.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret.
1
DRAFT
LETTER
To:-
Type 1 +
From
Sir David Trench, K.C.M.G., M.Q.,
Mi Hall
Telephone No. & Ext.
Secret.
Confidential,
Government House, Hong Kong.
Restricted. Unclassified?
که
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
Gaminara 10/1
3)4(4)
Copy 15
Q
Far East SXV.
Mt Densa.
Fo
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And contacts in Tokyo Carlot, we
feel,
Department
[22 Januar 1968
During Lord Shepherd's visit to Hong Kong in October
you raised with him the question whether Hong Kong should
abandon its political isolation in South East Asia and try
now to establish some informal relations with political
leaders in the area. The Minister agreed that the idea
was worth considering in consultation with the Foreign
Office and this has now baw dlone.
You will recall that discussion of this subject arose
because hitherto Governors of Hong Kong, when passing
through such centres as Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, have
apparently always made a point of avoiding contact with
the local political leaders. The Foreign Office agree
with our view that it would be desirable for the Governor,
when in transit through such centres, at least to meet the
local political leaders informally and explain to them
the situation in Hong Kong and the manner which it is
being tackled. Whenever any visiting of this kind was
contemplated you would no doubt seek the views of the
High Commissioner or Ambassador concerned so as to ensure
that any special local considerations relevant at the time
of the proposed visit were taken properly into account
before a de
taken.
Of the foreign capitals in South East Asia, Bankok
if Hong Kong is probably one which the Governor can expect to pass
FAC Political contacts
A visit there could be helpful in
on
through at some time.
view of the extent to which Hong Kong is dependent for
certain food supplies and imports from Thailand. In view
of Japanese interests in Hong Kong, a visit to Tokyo at
/some
be useful