The lurid alliances being forged in luxurious suites at one of Kowloon's top hotels threw up a diplomatic dilemma. The robed dignitaries from a certain African country had been expected to meet local business leaders and captains of industry.
But when the Hong Kong Government's black Daimler limousines were used to shuttle petite young girls from local bars of ill-repute to entertain the esteemed visitors, official hosts blanched. Cultural exchanges are par for the course when diplomats visit, but horizontal folk-dancing facilitated by Hong Kong taxpayers was another thing altogether.
'Government House was, of course, furious,' recalled Executive Councillor Jimmy McGregor who, as a senior public servant in the 1960s, was responsible for looking after the group of VIPs.
More embarrassment followed at a swank dinner party hosted in their honour by the then financial secretary. 'About halfway through, before we had got to the shark's fin soup, the leader of the group got up and said they had to withdraw immediately due to other engagements,' said Mr McGregor.
Knowing glances were exchanged around the ballroom. 'We were astonished - this was unheard of - and we said 'no, stay on, we still have all this whisky, rum, gin and brandy to finish'. They countered us by asking that we send it all down to their hotel.' Rather than being run out of town, the amorous VIPs with more on their mind than trade and industry were feted. There were no 'Sex scandal' banner headlines in the press. Relations with the African country continued as if nothing had happened. The art of diplomacy and protocol ensured that no international incident was made.
As Director of Protocol for the Hong Kong Government since 1988, Air Commodore (Retired) Vivian Warrington OBE may well have had to deal with similarly embarrassing situations. If he has, however, he would never say. He is the soul of discretion.