CHINA: MACAO: BRITISH OFFICES CLOSED IN FACE OF ANTI-BRITISH DEMONSTRATIONS

Record ID: 230329

  • Title: CHINA: MACAO: BRITISH OFFICES CLOSED IN FACE OF ANTI-BRITISH DEMONSTRATIONS
  • Date: 29th May 1967
  • Summary: CLOSED BRITISH CONSULATE, VISA OFFICE, CONSUL'S RESIDENCE -- ALL PLASTERED WITH CHINESE POSTERS. Initials RM/V/CCT/ES EDITORS: SEE ALSO VISNEWS PRODUCTION 5119/67 (SOF) "HONG KONG: BRITISH CONSUL IN MACAO TELLS OF ANTI-BRITISH DEMONSTRATIONS" SERVICED YESTERDAY (SUNDAY 27 MAY 1967) Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 13th June 1967 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MACAO
  • Country: Macao
  • Reuters ID: LVA2NLVWL07BYU8QK5741NS1LP2L
  • Story Text: IN ADDITION TO THE WIDELY-REPORTED CHINESE DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE BRITISH AUTHORITIES IN HONG KONG, SIMILAR DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE NEARBY PORTUGUESE COLONY OF MACAO HAVE REACHED THE STAGE WHERE BRITAIN IS REPORTED TO BE CONSIDERING WHETHER IT IS WORTHWHILE MAINTAINING THE CONSULATE AND OTHER BRITISH OFFICES THERE.

    BOTH THE CONSULATE AND THE BRITISH VISA OFFICE, WHICH HANDLES APPLICATIONS FOR ENTRY PERMITS TO HONG KONG, WERE CLOSED ON FRIDAY. THE BRITISH CONSUL, MR NORMAN IONS, IS IN HONG KONG FOR CONSULTATIONS WITH THE BRITISH AUTHORITIES THERE. ON WEDNESDAY, A GROUP OF YOUNG CHINESE FORCED MR IONS TO STAND IN THE BURNING SUN FOR SEVEN HOURS.

    IT'S NOW CONSIDERED UNLIKELY THAT MR IONS WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG, ALTHOUGH THE CONSULATE MAY NOT BE OFFICIALLY CLOSED. MOST OF THE CONSULATE STAFF ARE ENGAGED IN HANDLING APPLICATIONS FOR ENTRY PERMITS TO HONG KONG -- BUT OF THIS WORK CAN BE ADMINISTERED FROM THE BRITISH COLONY ITSELF.

    BEFORE LEAVING MACAO ON FRIDAY, MR IONS ADVISED THE ENTIRE TO WITHDRAW TO HONG KONG FOR THE WEEKEND TO GIVE THEM A BREAK FROM THE SUSTAINED ANTI-BRITISH DEMONSTRATIONS. HE TOOK WITH HIM THE VICE CONSUL AND THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE VISA OFFICE.

    THE BRITISH OFFICES IN MACAO HAVE BEEN THE TARGET OF LEFT-WING ABUSE FOR THE PAST FORTNIGHT. STRONGLY WORDED SLOGANS IN CHINESE HAVE BEEN PLASTERED ON BUILDING ALLS ACCUSING THE BRITISH OF COMMITTING ATROCITIES DURING THE RECENT RIOTING IN KOWLOON, HONG KONG.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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