TNAG-0025-FCO40-61-Relations-with-other-countries-in-South-East-Asia-1968 — Page 38

W(B)L 51-7433

NOTHING TO BE Written in THIS MARGIN

Registry HWB 2/7 No.

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Top Secret.

1

DRAFT

LETTER

To:-

Type 1 +

From

Sir David Trench, K.C.M.G., M.Q.,

Mi Hall

Telephone No. & Ext.

Secret.

Confidential,

Government House, Hong Kong.

Restricted. Unclassified?

که

PRIVACY MARKING

In Confidence

Gaminara 10/1

3)4(4)

Copy 15

Q

Far East SXV.

Mt Densa.

Fo

竹

And contacts in Tokyo Carlot, we

feel,

Department

[22 Januar 1968

During Lord Shepherd's visit to Hong Kong in October

you raised with him the question whether Hong Kong should

abandon its political isolation in South East Asia and try

now to establish some informal relations with political

leaders in the area. The Minister agreed that the idea

was worth considering in consultation with the Foreign

Office and this has now baw dlone.

You will recall that discussion of this subject arose

because hitherto Governors of Hong Kong, when passing

through such centres as Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, have

apparently always made a point of avoiding contact with

the local political leaders. The Foreign Office agree

with our view that it would be desirable for the Governor,

when in transit through such centres, at least to meet the

local political leaders informally and explain to them

the situation in Hong Kong and the manner which it is

being tackled. Whenever any visiting of this kind was

contemplated you would no doubt seek the views of the

High Commissioner or Ambassador concerned so as to ensure

that any special local considerations relevant at the time

of the proposed visit were taken properly into account

before a de

taken.

Of the foreign capitals in South East Asia, Bankok

if Hong Kong is probably one which the Governor can expect to pass

FAC Political contacts

A visit there could be helpful in

on

through at some time.

view of the extent to which Hong Kong is dependent for

certain food supplies and imports from Thailand. In view

of Japanese interests in Hong Kong, a visit to Tokyo at

/some

be useful