0003160 G.F. 316
(3)
(4)
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while it is not possible for practical reasons to give Chinese the status of an official language on all fours with English, every effort must be made to use Chinese where this is appropriate as much as possible, both in day-to-day business and in consultative processes. No one should feel that he labours under any handicap in his dealings with departments simply because he does not understand English;
Heads of departments are personally responsible for ensuring an adequate departmental publicity effort, both to win the support and understanding of persons directly affected by their projects, and of the public generally.
Relations with Chinese People's Government.
12.
For obvious reasons it is important to consider very care- fully any action to which the C. P. G. would feel bound to react and to make a careful assessment of the probable nature and effects of such reactions; e.g., any action which might be construed as giving encouragement to China's enemies. Even so, it must be expected that the Communists in Hong Kong will continue to plan to undermine the authority of the Hong Kong Government and to win popular support for their cause; and it is vital that their determination and capacity to do this should never be underestimated. In this situation Hong Kong must always depend heavily on the declared readiness of H. M. Government in the United Kingdom to maintain its authority in the Colony. This support was given in clear-cut terms during 1967 and played a significant part in bolstering the resolution of the public.
COLONIAL SECRETARIAT. 14th April, 1969.
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