HWB 2/7
Fib Com
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE,
Curtis Green Building,
Victoria Embankment,
London, S.W. 1.
2 Anuɛry, 1968
3
During Lord Shepherd's visit to long Kong in October the Governor raised with him the question whether Hong Kong should abandon its political iscletion in S.E. Asia and try now to establish some (to start with) informal relations with political leaders in the area: the Minister agreed that this idea was worth pursuing with you. The suggestion has, on the face of it, some obvious drawbacks, but the intention behind it is not nearly so ambitious as might appear at first sight.
2.
The discussion 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. It is felt here, both at Ministerial and at official level, that this has been a mistake. It would,
in our view, 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 in which it is being tackled. We are not suggesting that these meetings should in any sense be formal; we have in mind the sort of informal gatherings that could be arranged by the High Commissioner at his house.
3.
The Govenor himself seemed quite prepared to adopt the above ideas, but before taking the matter any further we should be glad to learn whether you see any objections to them.
J. Murray, Esq., CHG., Far Eastern Department, Foreign Office.
bu
20.12.68.
2/1/68.
(*.S. Carter
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