Ed (2829)
2
Mr. W.S. Carter
Reference..
5.
With reference to your minute of
February 21 about the need to improve our relations with Hong Kong, I am attracted by the Governor's suggestion for a turn-over article in "THE TIMES" but I think we would have to be very clear as to the purpose of such an article before we try to encourage "THE TIMES" to
undertake it. The best way to get this sort of thing done is usually to interest the local correspondent or a visiting correspondent from London. To this extent, the Governor in Hong Kong would be in as favourable a position to get
an article written on lines that would suit us
as we would be in London.
Perhaps more valuable than one
article, however favourable, would be a
continuous flow of press stories originating from Hong Kong and fed to British press correspondents or agencies there. Alternatively, the Hong Kong Office could handle such material here in London but I am sure that in practice this is already being done and Mr. N. Watt takes every opportunity to promote a good image of Hong Kong overseas, both in the United Kingdom
and in North America.
Another fruitful line, already taken advantage of, is the use of the B.B.C., whose Far Eastern correspondent is based in Hong Kong, (his name is Anthony Lawrence).
In all this, one unfortunately has to
bear in mind the danger of drawing too much attention to Hong Kong, in particular to its industrial output which could lead to difficulties with some sections of the community here. Moreover, some goods from Hong Kong have
been criticised for one reason or another
recently. This is the sort of thing people
remember.
You will remember the series of visits which we have organised for journalists and others from Hong Kong. This still seems to me to be one of the best contributions the official
/Information