TNAG-0070-FCO40-106-Disturbances-in-Hong-Kong-propaganda-1968 — Page 52

.F. 323

CONFIDENTIAL

DRAFT PROPOSAL FOR AN INCREASED LOCAL PUBLIC RELATIONS EFFORT BY

GOVERNMENT

This paper attempts to put in perspective with other considerations, the need for an increased, organised and well-directed public relations effort.

The Introduction sets out to justify why such effort is necessary : the second part is a framework for the actions proposed; the final section selects one particular field of the public relations effort which is considered to be of primary importance and gives recommendations as to how it might be implemented.

1. INTRODUCTION

(a)

(b)

The 1967 Disturbances have demonstrated that, for the

time being at least and presumably thereafter, Hong Kong

can no longer promote its own prosperity with a passive,

noffensive China in the background. All people in the

Colony, those who do business with it and all those who know

it, are now conscious that China "holds an ace over Hong

Kong" by virtue of China's strength and close proximity.

Nearly all assume that China can and may destroy, gradually or

suddenly, the British administration of Hong Kong.

This phenomenon of what people now think is the cardinal

fundamental element in Hong Kong's prospects, since it determines confidence in so many ways to so many people.

The ordinary resident, if not able to emigrate himself, will

certainly aspire to having his children go abroad; usually this means the loss of educated young people the Colony needs

here. The buyers think twice about ordering goods.

investor looks elsewhere.

The

These few examples serve to

illustrate how the earning power of the Government and the

people is critically jeopardised by the threat, real or

assumed, from China.

(c)

It is appreciated that nothing can be done immediately

by Hong Kong to remove or diminish this external threat.

It may be kept alive indefinitely by reminders from China from time to time. It may die quietly to the pre-1967 level

CONFIDENTIAL

/and....