TNAG-1821-FCO40-2584-Emigration-from-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 119

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CONFIDENTIAL

Mr McLaren

Private Secretary

üle

FROM:

DATE:

CC:

CO Hum

Hong Kong Department

9 June 1988

PS/Lord Glenarthur

Mr Gillmore

Mr Meyer, News Department

Mr Cooper, FED

Mr Teasdale

CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG

1.

attached

Mr Galsworthy's minute of 2 Jane asked for our immediate reactions to the Secretary of State's suggestion that there should be a "medium to long-term programme of words, actors and speakers", from the Chinese and Hong Kong Governments as well as HMG, provide reassurance to Hong Kong.

2.

to

I think the short answer is that all three parties are already doing quite a lot largely independently to sustain confidence; but that this could be a more systematic and collaborative exercise.

Present Action

3.

Where action by HMG is concerned, it was of course a major objective of the Secretary of State's visit to Hong Kong to provide reassurance and sustain confidence. The same thinking lay behind my recommendation that he should make a speech: and it went down well. Lord Glenarthur's visit at the end of June will also be helpful in this connection, and we can make positive use of the events

As it happens surrounding the opening of the JLG offices on 1 July. there will be quite a number of other visits by British Ministers during the summer, which will help counteract any impression that HMG are neglecting Hong Kong.

4.

The Chinese Government have in recent months been making a very conscious attempt of their own to maintain confidence in Hong Kong, with varying degrees of success. Examples of supportive

CONFIDENTIAL