TNAG-0100-FCO40-136-Hong-Kong-royal-visits-1968 — Page 44

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NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

CONFIDENTIAL

ROYAL VISITS COMMITTEE

Visit by H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh to

Hong Kong

Notes for Permanent Under-Secretary's Brief

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In September, 1966, the Governor wrote to

Sir Savile Garner suggesting a visit by Her Majesty

The Queen to Hong Kong in October/November 1968, to

open the Plover Cove Water Scheme. The 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 Chinese 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 remain-

ing colonial territories.

During the last five

months the Colony has passed through a very testing

period of Communist 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

CONFIDENTIAL

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