TNAG-0334-FCO40-370-Visits-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Af-1972 — Page 39

CONFIDENTIAL

Brief No 11

SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO HONG KONG,

FEBRUARY 1972

THE CHINESE LANGUAGE ISSUE

POINTS TO BE MADE

(DEFENSIVE)

(1) It is recognised that the question of the use of the

Chinese language is an important issue to which the

Hong Kong Government is giving careful study:

(2)

(3)

Some of the recommendations made by Sir Kenneth

Ping-fan Fung's Committee have already been accepted

in principle by the Hong Kong Government and are being

implemented as the necessary staff and facilities

become available.

Certain of the Committee's recommendations raise

difficult matters on which it would not be appropriate

for the Secretary of State to comment in advance of

any conclusions reached by the Hong Kong Government.

(NB The line of reply recommended above should be confirmed

with the Governor and his senior officials when the Secretary

of State sees them during the evening of his arrival in the

colony).

1

CONFIDENTIAL