Our reference: 5/6 5/26
Your reference:
lass C 1 Welch
Section A
Dmmol 3
CRD 2
Department of Trade
1 Victoria Street
Bollon DW1H ON!
BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION IN HONG KONG 7th Floor, Shell House, Queen's Road, Central, HONG KONG Mail Address: P.O. Box No. 528, Hong Kong Cable Address: "Uktrade Hongkong" Telephone- 230176
30 May 1974
Dear Cherry.
I thought you would be interested to see the enclosed text of a speech by David Jordan which gives an excellent simple man's guide to the strategy of the Hong Kong Budget. Morc importantly, in my view, it also states the position on the reserves in terms that anyone can understand and that should go a long way to dispelling many of the all too commonly repeated misunderstandings about the extent to which MMG "control" Hung Mong's roserves. It is the first time that I can recall in the two years that I have been here that this has been explained so clearly and fairly by a long long Goverment official (I have tried my small best to state the position in radio and television interviews within the limits of the briefs I have been able to get
but this is not quite the same thing). It is long overdue, and must be welcomed and indeed I have congratulated David on it. It also illustrates David Jordan's own readiness to put the record straight so far as Britain is concerned and so far as he can without calling into question his own loyalties and I believe him to be roadier to do this than most Hong Kong Civil Servants.
I have heard many favourable comments about the speech, including from Goverment anforumtion Bervicos comparing it with Philip Madon-Cave's more complicniCH protemtation and style. I have also heard it said that it further strengthens David Jordan's Juting as possible successor to Philip addon-Cave. There are rumours around town that Philip may wish to move on in a year or two although David Jordan himself told me only the other evening that he was assuming rhilip would be there throughout the remainder of David's own official span and that he, David, had no aspirations to the Financial Secretaryship and was very happy where he was.
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You
Tom A.
* Aston
Senior Trade Commissioner
cc: 1 Stuart, HRIOD, TUO MIA/yas
NO:
Every effort is inade to ensure that the information given herein is accurate, but no legal responsibility is accepted for any errors or omis sions in that information and no responsibility is accepted in regard to the standing of any firms, companies, or individuals mentioned.
VERANDUNGAN SMART ANNONS At wwin OSEVERAL