TNAG-0100-FCO40-136-Hong-Kong-royal-visits-1968 — Page 42

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CONFIDENTIAL

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ROYAL VISITS COMITTEE

Visit by IIII. The Duke of Edinburgh to

Hong Kong

Notes for Permanent Under-Secretary's Brief

The

In September, 1966, the Governor wrote to Sir Saville Garner suggesting a visit by ller Majesty The Queen to Hong Kong in October/November 1:68, to open the Plover Cove Water Scheme. possibility of a Royal visit to the Colony had been raised on earlier occasions but it had been thought that such a visit might provoke an unacceptable Chin se reaction. This view continued to prevail when the Governor's suggestion was considered and consequently no bid was made to the Royal Visits Committee for the Queen to visit Hong Kong.

2.

Hong Kong is now, in terms of population and economic activity, by far the biggest of our remaining colonial territories. During the last five months the Colony has passed through a very testing period of Comunist confrontation which it has weathered with remarkable resilience. Throughout that confrontation its people have displayed a remarkable degree of loyalty to the Governor and of public support for the administration. The key to our ability to continue to hold the situation there against the persistent efforts of the Communists, is the maintenance of public confidence in our intentions towards and support for the Colony, The Governor, during recent discussions with Ministers and officials in London, has urged most strongly the need for overt expressions of continuing British interest in and concern for the people of Hong Kong. A visit by a member of the Royal Family would be a most effective and desirable way of doing this: it would also provide a great filip to local morale and fit recognition of the immense and successful efforts which the Colony has made to meet some very difficult post-war problems.

3. It is accordingly suggested that we should propose to the Royal Visits Committee that H. R. H. the Puke of Edinburgh should visit Ing Kong in September/October, 1968, for the purpose of opening the lover Cove Water Scheme. This Scheme is one of the most impressive water projects in the world. September/October, 1968, would be an appropriate time for the proposed visit having regard to the timetable for the completion of the Scheme and to climatic conditions.

CONFIDENTIAL

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