TNAG-1888-FCO40-2681-Visits-from-Hong-Kong-and-China-to-the-UK-1989 — Page 94

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FCO/HONG KONG DEPARTMENT (PAUL)

FOR HEAP FROM TRACY OT 2/2

BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. IN HONG KONG

AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF INFORMATION IN YOUR TELNO 347 TO FCO OF 7 AUGUST, OUR SECRETARY OF STATE RECEIVED ANOTHER, SLIGHTLY EARLIER LETTER FROM MCWHIRTER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE CHAMBER, DATED 27 JULY WITH VARIOUS POINTS INCLUDING CONGRATULATIONS ON SOS'S APPOINTMENT: FACT THAT ROYAL VISIT SHOULD GO AHEAD IN NOVEMBER: MCWHIRTER'S OWN UK VISIT IN OCTOBER AND WISH, IF POSSIBLE, TO CALL UPON SOS.

2

OUR RECOMMENDATION TO PRIVATE OFFICE ON THE LATTER POINT WAS THAT A MEETING WITH OFFICIALS WOULD SUFFICE. HOWEVER, SOS'S OFFICE HAVE REFERRED THE CASE TO THE MINISTER FOR TRADE WHO HAS PERSONALLY INDICATED THAT HE WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEE MCWHIRTER IF IT WILL HELP IN ANY WAY AT THIS RATHER ANXIOUS TIME FOR HK.

3 NOTING THAT MCWHIRTER WAS NOT AVERSE TO TELLING SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST (ISSUE OF 4 AUGUST) ABOUT THE CHAMBER'S LETTERS TO MINISTERS, GRATEFUL YOUR VIEW ON WHETHER HE SHOULD BE GRANTED A CALL ON MFT IN ORDER TO PREVENT ANY POSSIBLE MUDSLINGING THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN IS THE BUSINESS SETTING A PRECEDENT FOR CHAMBER PERSONNEL'S FUTURE UK CALLS.

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