TNAG-0037-FCO40-73-Effort-to-improve-relations-with-Hong-Kong-1968 — Page 84

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4.

Mr. Blaikley: (c)

Mr. Noake s

Mr. Walker

Hong Kong has asked for assistance of £3 million, by grant or loan, for the extension of the runway at Kai Tak Airport. We tried, without making much. progress, to interest the former Ministry of Civil Aviation in this project, using funds which we understood they had at their disposal. This might be taken up again.

(a) Hong Kong have asked for the cooperation

of our own Export Credit Guarantee Dept and of our posts abroad in furnishing the commercial and political information which is necessary for the successful operation of their newly formed Export Credit Guarantee Corporation. The request has been refused, for anumber of reasons which on the face of it may be good but which might on closer and more sympathetic examination be found to provide some room for showing a more accommodating attitude. Allied to this is the equally thorny problem of the extent to which Hong Kong can look to our posts abroad for help in protecting and pursuing their ever- widening commercial and trade interests in other countries.

t

Public Relations

(e) The Governor asks whether a leading

newspaper such as The Times could be induced to publish a really well- informed, fairly comprehensive and friendly leading article.

Royal Family

(f) Assuming that a visit by H.M.The Queen

in 1968 to open the Plover Cove Water Scheme is regarded as raising too many difficulties, could Prince Charles be considered for this?

(g) Princess Margaret might be asked to pay

a visit to the Hong Kong Government Office and showrooms in Pall Mall, as an indication of continuing interest in the Colony following her visit there in March, 1966.

(h) For similar reasons Princess Alexandra

might be asked to visit the students

at Hong Kong House (a residential and recreational centre for Hong Kong students in the U.K.)

I should be grateful for your views on the items (or sections) against which your name has been marginally inserted. Hong Kong Department will be dealing with item (a).

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io (W.S. Carter)

21st February, 1967.