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a man of great influence and I knew that he was aware of this
problem and seeking to mitigate it. But it was a mistake for
eager businessmen in Hong Kong to underestimate the potential
strength and resilience of the British economy and the British
people. A continuation of the current climate of relations
could only be harmful in the longer term. I hoped that he would
do what he could to correct this.
6. He took the point well. He said that we should not over-
estimate the extent of feeling of this kind in Hong Kong. But he
would encourage all contacts between Britain and Hong Kong that
enabled the facts to be established. In particular, he attached
importance to continuing visits to Hong Kong by British MPs and
other people of influence (even if they were not always 100 per cent
satisfied with what they saw). Equally, he thought that there was
scope for more visits to Britain by members of the Hong Kong
Legislature, etc. In this context he complained that for the past
two years Hong Kong had not been invited to meetings of the
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. He asked whether anything
could be done to rectify this. I undertook to look into this: and
I shall be grateful to know what the position about it may be.
7. The whole conversation was friendly and Sir Y K Kan made no
attempt to criticise along the lines that my brief had suggested
he might.
7 June 1976 Chief Clerk Mr Larmour
Michael Palliser
Mr O'Keeffe
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