FCO_49_622_PLANNING_PAPER_ON_HONG_KONG_1976 — Page 195

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A policy of more radical change will only be possible if more positive steps are taken to promote a wider identity of purpose than has been thought necessary in the past. This has two aspects:

(i) the promotion over the whole period in

question of an active appreciation in

Hong Kong of our overall policy with regard to the Colony and the development in Hong Kong Government officials, who are servants of

the Crown, of an awareness of their role within that overall policy;

(ii) the taking of active steps to counter the

anti-British sentiment generally in the

Colony through an active information policy in which all senior officials in Hong Kong

will play an essential, perhaps the crucial,

part.

On (i), we believe that Hong Kong should be asked to accept more advice and help from the United Kingdom. For instance, social security is to be looked at by a Working Party in Hong Kong and we should insist on the inclusion of a qualified specialist in whom we have confidence: we cannot be expected to defend a social security policy over which we have not been consulted. Similar considerations apply to housing policy, More generally, suitable opportunities should be sought when Ministers visit Hong Kong to bring home to officials there, their responsibilities to the Crown; and senior officials there should regard a discussion of their responsibilities with officials here as an essential part of visits to London. On (ii), it might be added that the Governor has recently been alerted to the dangers of anti-British sentiment in the Colony and has already begun to take steps to

counter it. This will need a sustained effort on both sides over the whole period under consideration.

53. There is also a need to continue strongly to advocate Hong Kong's case here. The policy outlined

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7386 D073815 140M 5/74 Cr.P.C. Gp.839/3

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