8.
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During Percy Cradock's visit I told him about the two indirect approaches from Liao Ch'eng-chih, and we agreed that the openings offered should be taken up if and when some specific diplomatic purpose could be served. However if a direct and explicit invitation was issued we would have to reconsider.
9. David Wilson and I do not read more significance into this invitation than that it forms part of a general policy of being friendly and obliterating the memories of 1967, encouraging the establishment of Hong Kong to see contact with China as something respectable, and a wish to symbolise the improved state of relations over Hong Kong and reinforce confidence there. Wang's actions since his arrival in Hong Kong, in comparison to those of his predecessor, make clear that Wang's instructions included the cultivation of a more direct relationship with the Governor, and this invitation fits into this picture. Nevertheless I do not think such a visit could be paid without some circles in Peking focusing on the problem of Hong Kong, and I would have to be prepared to discuss it if tackled, no matter how general the terms might be.
10.
If
If I went to China there would certainly be great speculation here about the reason. Nevertheless if I received official attention, and it looks as if that would be the case, I think that on the whole opinion here would be reassured, though there would be some who feared that things were going too fast and that we might be going to give something away. So I would certainly need to reassure the press on my return. in the course of the visit something reassuring was sa id about the future of Hong Kong this could be quoted. If not the visit could still be presented as symbolic of the improved relations. I would certainly have to consult the Executive Council about it, but I think that by and large local opinion would favour rather than disfavour such a visit.
11.
On the other hand, if you thought such a visit undesirable, it would be possible to put it off by vagueness and temporising. However I do not doubt that after this build-up they will push pretty hard and through many local channels.
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