TNAG-0325-FCO40-361-Proposed-visit-by-the-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Com-1972 — Page 75

PROPOSED VISIT BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO HONG KONG

10/2

1. In May 1971 the Ministerial Visits Committee discussed

the question of a visit by the Secretary of State to Hong Kong.

The matter arose in connection with an invitation extended by

the Governor, in his capacity as Chancellor of the Chinese

University of Hong Kong, to a Minister to visit the Colony

as a guest of the University to open the University's Science

Centre. The Minister would also meet the participants in the

General Conference of Vice Chancellors and Principals of

Commonwealth Universities which was to be held in Hong Kong at

the same time.

2.

A parallel approach had been made to us by the Inter

University Council for Higher Education Overseas.

3. The date provisionally proposed for the visit was April

1972 and the Royal Visits Committee thought that this invitation would fit in with the Secretary of State's own wish

to visit Hong Kong next year; and that it could be combined with a visit to New Zealand and with the Secretary of State's attendance at SEATO (the next SEATO meeting was to be held in Canberra and on normal form would be held in April).

4. The Secretary of State subsequently confirmed his wish to visit Hong Kong next year and his willingness to open the Science Centre. He expressed a preference for the visit to take place immediately after Easter (during the Parliamentary recess).

This would mean that he would be in a position to travel on or

It was about 10 April, arriving in Hong Kong on 11 April. envisaged that he could go on to Australia for the SEATO meeting (provided that the dates fitted) and to New Zealand.

15.

Page 75Page 76