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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 Duke of Edinburgh should visit Hong Kong in
September/October, 1968, for the purpose of opening
the Plover 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.
4. The Duke of Edinburgh visited Hong Kong in
1959 and the Foreign Office saw no objection in
1964 to a further visit. There is always the
risk that a Royal visit to Hong Kong might be
regarded by the Chinese Peoples Government
(C.P.G.) in Peking as provocation; it is
considered, however, that this risk, with its
attendant security implications, would be less in
the case of a visit by the Duke of Edinburgh than
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