TNAG-0330-FCO40-366-Visit-of-Parliamentary-Under-Secretary-of-State--Anthony-Roy-1972 — Page 15

Reference

HONG KONG STANDARD

+

16 NOVEMBER 1972

China, Britain ties at an exciting stage

RELATIONS between China and Britain were currently at an "exciting stage” and the Chinese Were very satisfied with the present status of Hongkong.

"There is no question of Hongkong being taken over by a Communist regime It is a Crown colony," said Mr Anthony Royle, the British Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, before he left for Bangkok.

He made these comments when answering questions at a press conference at the end of his four-day visit to the Colony. Earlier he had talk with the Governor, Sir Murray Macl close and other senior Government officials, A

Mr Royle *WIES asked whether, in the event of a Communist takeover, the two million or so Honkong-born

Chinese who could qualify as

British subjects would be allowed entry into Britain.

After saying there was no question of a Communist takeover, Mr Royle added: "We are very satisfied with the present status of Hongkong. So is the Chinese Government.'

Not only had the two countries raised the level of their diplomatic missions, there were firm orders for a wide range of British aircraft, moves on the communications front and expansion of telecommunications links between Hongkong and China and an agreement on the cultural front, he said.

He also said he is "delighted" to see how well the system for airing citizens' complaints is working in the colony.

When he visited Hongkong in 1967 as an MP. While the Conservative Party was in Opposition at Westminster, Mr Royle suggested the setting up hu an ombudsman system for people in the colony to have their grievances heard and investigated.

Since his 1967 visit the City District Offices have been established and over one million enquiries were handled in 1971. In addition, the power of UMELCO is strengthered.

Describing etime as "probably the most important issue which has given cause of concern to people in all walks of life here," Mr Royle said he supported measureA to strengthen the police force which he considered "a force that is well run with a devoted group of police officers and

constables.'

Mr Royle said he was impressed by the Keep Hongkong Clean Campaign, the KUTNONER OÏ ubirds, fun attollant

t

1

་

1

DD 897152 154596 500M 2/71 GM 3643/2

operation

Le cou

betwen

He Gout. I the people

Page 15Page 16