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5. WE DO NOT DENY THE EXISTENCE OF AN ILLEGAL TRADE IN DOGS BUT DO
TRY TO ELIMINATE IT BY PROSECUTION. THE GOVERNMENT CARRIES OUT REGULAR INSPECTIONS OF THOUSANDS OF RESTAURANT PREMISES AND PROSECUTES WHENEVER THE EATING OF DOG MEAT AND/OR CRUELTY TO ANIMALS IS DETECTED. IT IS PUBLICLY KNOWN THAT THE EATING OF DOG
FLESH IS ILLEGAL BUT, AS IT IS A TRADITIONAL CHINESE CUSTOM,
IT IS SELDOM REPORTED TO THE AUTHORITIES BY THE CHINESE WHO FORM THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION. WE AGREE THAT THE APPOINTMENT
OF INSPECTORS BY A VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION IN BRITAIN WILL BE
RESENTED BY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG AS AN INTERFERENCE WITH A LOCAL -
CUSTOM AND THAT TO ACCEDE TO THIS SUGGESTION WILL DO MORE HARM
THAN GOOD.
FCO PASS COPY TO HONG KONG COVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
HKTOD
NEWS DEF I SIR D WATSON MN WILFORD
ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE, LONDON
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