TNAG-0591-FCO40-724-Appointment-of-Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1976 — Page 54

Summary Translation of Appendix C 14

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Extract from the Express dated 28.2.76

The British Government might convince

Sir Murry MacLehose to stay on in Hong Kong in order to maintain a good Sino-British Relationship

According to the sources of information from London,

it was reported that the British Government might convince Sir Murry MacLehose to stay on for a further tour. However, the same sources of information said that this would depend on various factors. For example if, before his retirement, it was found necessary to promote even better relationship between London and Peking, he would then be asked to stay on in Hong Kong as the Governor.

It was also reported that the U.K. Ambassador to Japan could be the next Governor. However, such a posting was considered unlikely as it was the policy of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that a diplomat in a foreign country should serve in his office for at least three years before he would be transferred to another territory and he had only served in his office for five months.

If it was decided that (should Sir Murray MacLehose retire next year and that) the next Governor should be someone who could speak good Cantonese and one who had intimate knowledge on China and its policies, the British Ambassador to Japan could be a favourable contender to be next Governor of Hong Kong.

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