TNAG-1711-FCO40-2389-Future-British-Consulate-General-in-Hong-Kong-HMS-Tamar-1987 — Page 67

CONFIDENTIAL

PRINCESS MARGARET'S VISIT TO CHINA: 18-27 MAY 1987

BRIEF B (f)

CHINESE CUSTOMS AND SENSITIVITIES

Speech

1. In beginning a conversation with foreigners the

Chinese tend to ask fairly mundane questions about

travels, family background, children and age (the Chinese

are proud of age, and expect foreigners to be the same).

2. The concept of "face", linked with Confucian ideas

of human relationships and behaviour, means that

contentious issues are met with oblique answers.

The

Chinese do not like to say or to hear "no" if that reply

will be unwelcome.

Style

3. One aspect of Chinese behaviour which surprises the

Westerner, is the habit (often ingrained and practiced by

the most senior Chinese) of hawking loudly and

occasionally making use of the spittoons which are a

common feature in public rooms. This is as natural to

the Chinese as blowing noses into handkerchiefs is to

Westerners.

SENSITIVE TOPICS

1.

History of Hong Kong: in Chinese eyes, the territory

has always been theirs.

None of the top leaders have

FC6AAN

CONFIDENTIAL

36