TNAG-0278-FCO40-314-Visit-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Aff-1970 — Page 239

Mr. Wilford

Mr. J. A. N. Graham

CONFIDENTIAL

3

Visit of Secretary of State to Hong Kong:

April, 1970

In our telegram No.41 the Governor of Hong Kong and our Charge d'Affaires in Peking were asked for their comments and advice on a

proposal that the Secretary of State should pay a short visit to Hong Kong (over the weekend 18-20 April) while en route to Tokyo. The Governor has replied (Hong Kong telegram No.55) welcoming a visit and anticipating no difficulties "so long as general situation remains as at present". The Chargé d'Affaires (Peking telegram a No.46) while noting some recent deterioration in Sino-British

relations and the possibility that the Chinese might seize the occasion "for further unpleasant comment on the UK", does not see

any reason in this not to make the visit.

2.

a)

The Governor's telegram requires reply on three main points:-

He asks whether he can inform members of his Executive

Council in strict confidence of the possibility of a visit in order that the unofficial members can so arrange

their affairs as to be present in the Colony at that time.

(b) He would like to represent the visit publicly as primarily

(c)

a rest stop.

He suggests that, in addition to lunch with unofficial members of Executive Council, he should make arrangements for "short additional meeting of half-an-hour or so with

them and also a general discussion with the Commander,

British Forces and senior officials.

I recommend a reply in the terms of the draft telegram attached. Far East Department concurs.

CONFIDENT IAL

/ 3.

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