COPY
1
En Clair
PRESS
ALDISTRATTOR
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICI (The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Information Services)
D. 7th March 1967 R. 7th
#
1.7.25 hrs.
35
1967
か
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 63 40 MAR 1967
ez/b.
Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs Mr. Bowden said tonight that Hong Kong had terrific problems but the Government and people were doing a terrific job in solving them. Speaking at news conference before leaving for London Mr. Bowden said that during his two and a half days in Hong Kong he had seen many things and places and had met many people from all walks of life.
The progress he saw everywhere was remarkable and in the economic field it was nothing less than a miracle.
Mr. Bowden said the standard of living in Hong Kong was probably rising faster than anywhere else in the world.
Asked if constitutional changes were envisaged Mr. Bowden said that the British Government was firmly of view that existing system best met Hong Kong's peculiar situation and external difficulties.
He said possibility of Britain's entry into Common Market and its likely effect on Mong Kong was very much to the fore in talks he had here.
Some people, he said, feared that Britain might leave Hong Kong high and dry after entry into the European Economic Community. That fear, Mr. Bowden stated, was unfounded. There would be full consultations within the Commonwealth should Britain reach a decision to begin negotiations for entry into the Common Market and Hong Kong interests would not be overlooked.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.