G.F. 326
0003260
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LAST
REF.
PERSONAL
CONFIDENTIAL
6th September 1966
E/3.
NEXY
REF.
Some time ago, we had some correspondence with the Colonial Office (resting with Higham's letter No. FED AG/313 of 18th January 1965) concerning the possibility of Her Majesty The Queen visiting Hong Kong and the likely reaction of the Chinese to such a visit. At that time, the possibility was discussed in the context of a possible visit to Malaysia and Thailand, and the difficulty of explaining to Hong Kong people why, having come so far, she might be unable to come on here.
I will not go into the views put forward in the earlier correspondence since they will be available in your records, but that it was thought there might be some dangers in the proposal, which would have to be carefully assessed, is obvious. However, there is one factor at least which has perhaps altered the situation since those days, and this emboldens me to revive the idea.
In late 1968, say about October/November/ December (because the weather here is then at its best) we shall be ready to open the Plover Cove Water Supply Scheme. Details of this are also, of course, available in the Common- wealth Office and I need say no more here than that it is a bold and imaginative scheme for trebling the Colony's water storage capacity by damming up an arm of the sea and turning a bay into a reservoir. The associated filtration, pumping and water-reticulation projects which form the whole Scheme are also on a considerable scale. The whole Scheme has excited considerable international interest and the admiration of all who have seen it: and I think it would be generally agreed that it is in every way worthy of Her Majesty's attention.
I think, therefore, that a difference can
be distinguished between a generalized visit by Her Majesty, which might be objected to by the Chinese as a gratuitous display of sovereignty, and a visit primarily to open a project of this size, clearly designed for the benefit of the people of Hong Kong and without any international political overtones. We have also, it may be worth noting, already had amicable dealings with the Chinese on water-supply matters on 3 major occasions in the past: and, furthermore, Princess Margaret's visit has taken place without any unfavourable reaction from the Chinese.
I think therefore it can be said (although of course on this you will be seeking Donald Hopson's advice also) that although some dangers will remain, and Chinese attitudes can certainly never be predicted with entire confidence so far ahead, nevertheless it is doubtful whether a better opportunity for a visit by Her Majesty could ever
Sir Saville Garner, G.C.M.G.
CONFIDENTIAL