The key to the UK's relationship with Hong Kong is obviously the Covernor. The colony's expatriate officials, however devoted and knowledgeable, are not likely to be the most sensitive to all the possibilities for social advance. Through the choice of Governor,
HMG can ensure that 19th century Anglo-Chinese morality is infused with 20th century British ecúpassion.
Sir Murray Maclehose is acknowledged oven by local critics of the colony's administration to have been an important social innovator. We should probably accept that he will need to spend his final year in consolidation. Sir Murray has also tackled head-on the deep-rooted problem of corruption with considerable if not yet final success. His successor will have to possess a similar combination of diplomatic skill and social conscience if Hong Kong is to make further advances in the 1980s.
I am copying this minute to David Owen..
7 June 1978
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