TNAG-0389-FCO40-435-Visit-of-trade-mission-of-the-London-Chamber-of-Commerce-and-1973 — Page 18

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Mr Spencer

Mr Brinson REF

BRITAIN'S IMAGE IN HONG KONG

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HPK-6/5+8/1 +

Sir P Rúlly's letter of 31 October below gives powerful support to GIPD's long standing contention that HMG needs its own effecient commercial and information machine in Hong Kong and that the over- stretched Trade Office under Mr Aston is quite insufficient.

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2.

British rule through the Governor may still bring us some financial and export advantages but in other ways it seems very prone to bring us the kicks rather than the ha'pence. The example of Macao shows that a nominal rule retained at China's convenience does not in itself bring prestige. The Hong Kong population (Chinese and British) seem very ready to regard their Government as their's when it suits them and as British whenever anyone is to be blamed for anything: The whole question of the extent to which it is in fact acting as an independent Government or under British direction and to British advantage seems veiled and undebated in a way that produces rumour, exaggeration and bad feeling which very likely outweighs the real advantages we draw from retaining nominal rule. The Editorial of the current Far East Review is a very striking and disturbing example of this. It projects a bad image of Britain far beyond Hong Kong.

3. It is not GIPD's business to say how Hong Kong should be administered. But it is our business that we seem perpetually shackled from tackling an overdue information job in an important territory. Mr Brinson

has recently discussed this with the Governor in Hong Kong. I suggest that on his return a meeting be arranged with HKIOD for the issue of principle to be clarified within FCO.

14 November 1973

P J Fowler

co to:

Mr Reddaway

Mr McMinnies

IRD

Mr Stuart - HKIOD

Guidance and Information Policy Department

/cont.

DD 145177 219242 500M 4/73 GM 3643/2

CONFIDENTIAL