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CONFIDENTIAL
years. KMT propaganda was something which had been going on for a long time but which was on the decline and would soon die out. It was a historical problem, which should not be allowed to affect the development of good relations between Hong Kong and China. China was in general dealing very effectively with KMT propaganda. It would be unwise to help the KMT by exaggerating the importance of such a small issue.
7.
Mr Tan then repeated at some length NCNA's and Peking's concern, adding that in his personal view Peking's anxiety over this issue was stimulated by the fact that China would also be celebrating the 70th anniversary of the 10 October revolution this year. The Chinese people were the true heroes of and successors to the 1911 revolution. The KMT were devoting much effort attempting to prove that they were the true successors. The display of such propaganda in Hong Kong would have a bad effect. Dr Wilson asked whether anybody seriously believed KMT propaganda and repeated that it would be a mistake to allow a minor problem to become a major one.
Mr Tan concluded by asking that the matter should be looked at again carefully.
Political Adviser's Office
Government Secretariat
Hong Kong
21 August 1981
cc HK&GD FCO
FED FCO
Chancery PEKING DSB
PAS(S)0 on file
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