CONFIDENTIAL
Hong Kong Department
In a personal
Lord Butler has said that
of Hong Kong, when he was
п.с.
Any
Obs. ?
En "/s
letter to the Secretary of State, he discussed with the Governor in Hong Kong, the question
of establishing some sort of an identity for the inhabitants of Hong Kong. He had found, he said, a certain amount of anxiety about this among the younger generation of Chinese. The Governor had remarked that if the Chinese were so keen on establishing an identity they could return to China: Sir Murray Mac Lehose had, however, undertaken to think the matter over and to write to Lord Butler in a month or so. Lord Butler comments that what he thinks the young intellectuals of Hong Kong want is to be called "Chinese citizens of Hong Kong".
2.
You may have given some thought to this problem. The Secretary of State instinctively sides with the Governor but believes that there is a genuine problem. should be grateful to know if you have any comments.
I
c.c. Sir L. Monson
PS/Mr. Royle
CONFIDENTIAL
An Graham
(J.A.N. Graham)
10 May, 1972