18.
My presence at this sort functions for the first time has its significance. To the people in the pro-China camp, it will be an indication that the Hong Kong Government is willing to be friendly with them. They may well ease off the confrontation which we experienced while doing our Chinese liaison work in Great Britain in the past. Since then, their leaders, even those from the provinces, have resumed taking the initiative to greet me in the street or in the restaurants. Those leaders who had previously identified themselves with the London Office and yet secretly flirted with the Chinese Embassy will be able to do so openly. No doubt, there will be a small minority who will accuse us of letting them down. These are mostly pro-Taiwan elements and they supported our work as one way of counteracting pro-China activities. On the whole, the great majority of the Hong Kong Chinese community in Great Britain are expected to remain reluctant to get involved in Chinese politics.
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VYFC/ks
Deciclaus
(Victor Y.F. Chann) Senior Liaison Officer 14th November, 1978.
CONFIDENTIAL
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布政司署
香港下亞瘋 畢道