2
3.
Liang's period of office has coincided with the marked improvement in direct relations between the NCNA and my predecessors as P.A. Local issues are now dealt with frequently on a friendly and businesslike basis. Perhaps the high point of Liang's period so far as official relations with the Hong Kong Government are concerned was the first known direct written communication between the Director of the NCNA and the Governor. This occurred last year when the Governor went to pay his respects after Mao's death and received an official letter of thanks from Liang addressed to him at Government House. At a lower level I was amused when Liang, during dinner, referred in a toast to good relations with the Hong Kong Government. I had thought that the correct phrase for Communists was "the British authorities in Hong Kong". I fear he made a mistake; he did look a bit sheepish.
4.
Liang will be succeeded as Director by Li Chu-sheng, who has been here for some three years as Deputy. Li is a professional diplomat of considerable charm and skill. He is more extrovert than Liang and I expect that we are going to face a period in which he makes even greater efforts to establish himself as an unofficial official representativc. When I asked Li whether he was going to take over as Director, he replied by saying that he would do so "temporarily". On my expressing surprise at this, he eventually explained that by "temporarily" he would stay for about 2-3 years but not as long as Liang.
I will tell you more about Li when I know him better.
CC
(DC Wilson)
JAB Stewart Esq OBE
(HKGD FCO)
HC Hainworth Esq CMG
(Research Dept FCO)
KC Walker Esq
(Assessments Staff, Cabinet Office)
F J L Popplewell Esq
(PEKING)
C W Squire Esq
(WASHINGTON)
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