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CONFIDENTIAL
3.
With regard to the prio ties, our policy at the moment (is to show as clearly and forcefully as possible that despite
the disturbances, life in Hong Kong continues much as normal
and that the colony's capacity to produce and trade is
unaffected.
At the same time we are being careful not to
boast that the Hong Kong Government has 'beaten' the Communists,
lest the Communists ace in this a challenge. The main targets
in the 'campaign of confidence' are Hong Kong'e trading
partners, the international community generally and very
important Chinese seamen away from Hong Kɔng who may be
discouraged by sensational reports of chaos at home.
4. The most effective means of reaching the seamen are those
established by the shipping representatives and this is an
Operation that the shipping lines and the Hong Kong Government
are able to mount with little or no assistance from the
Commonwealth Office and Foreign Office. Our most useful role
is in reaching, via our Missions, Hong Kong's trading partners
(supplementing, where necessary, the work of the Hong Kong
Government offices) and the interna i onal community general iy.
5. Much can be achieved by members of our Missions in
conversation with people of influence and especially by the
Commercial Officers through their contact with the companies
and agencies interested in Hong Kong. It is, however, the
Information staff with their access to magu media who can do
most to help restore public confidence in Hong Kong. Thus our
main effort depends on a steady flow of hard information
material and this material can only come from Hong Kong.
We
CONFIDENTIAL
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