TNAG-0037-FCO40-73-Effort-to-improve-relations-with-Hong-Kong-1968 — Page 72

CONFIDENTIAL

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(6) To assist Hong Kong to obtain services of staff. particularly

specialists and experts in connection with its problems

This is, of course, already done; and it is a field in which the ready assistance of Government Departments can create a very good impression.

(7) To commission a book or series of articles on the recent

troubles

This very tentative suggestion will require careful examination.

(8) Visits to North Vietnan by British shive registered in Hong Kong

The Governor suggested that it would improve Hong Kong's image in the United States if powers were taken by H.M.G. under the Merchant Shipping Act to enable such visits to be prohibited. There are serious, if not insuperable, objections to so radical a change of policy on the question of direction of British shipping; these almost certainly outweigh any immediate advantages to be gained in the present North Vietnam situation. But we will look at it again.

Hong Kong Department,

Commonwealth Office,

28th September, 1967.

CONFIDENTIAL