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DE HVID IN
RAGUAY No.51
GOVERNMENT HOUSE
HONG KONG
+KK3/548/5
Der Searty of state,
105
Secretary + State.
t
29th February 1972 ford
(HV. dept)
In Cororonh
Thank you for your kind letter about your visit to Hong Kong. I was delighted to pass on your thanks to those who had done the work. It was the greatest pleasure to have you and your wife with us. I am only sorry there was not time for a walk, or to show you any of the local birds or plants.
The conclusion of the pundits here is that the visit was considerably more successful than had been thought possible, falling as it did on New Year's Eve.
Our concern was to counter the sour feeling that the United Kingdom's interest in Hong Kong is largely negative or interfering. In contrast, the line you took in your speech and press conferences came across as benevolent and detached as well as positive, and this was exactly what was wanted and was well received. Coverage of your visit on television was excellent, and eventual press coverage was far more than we had expected, even though it was pretty late because of the holiday.
All this has been helpful to me and the Government, and I am most grateful for the way you and your wife carried off the programme when I imagine you must both have already had enough of travel.
Your sin
ヒ
J
The Right Honourable
Sir Alec Douglas-Home, KT
ра
вык 9/3