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Mexican president Adolfo Lopez Mateos (left) is greeted by local representatives at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Airport, on October 6, 1962. During a press conference at the airport, he refused to comment on the “build-up” in Cuba. Photo: SCMP
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When Mexico’s President Adolfo Lopez Mateos visited Hong Kong as the Cold War simmered, and refused to talk about the situation in Cuba

  • In October 1962, Mexican president Adolfo Lopez Mateos was welcomed at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Airport for an overnight stop on his way to a state visit in India
  • At a press conference upon his arrival, Mateos refused to comment on Cuba’s ‘build-up’, including what it meant for his country, saying it was ‘no longer news’
From our archives
Dave Besseling
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“Sr Adolfo Lopez Mateos, President of Mexico, accompanied by a party of 68, arrived from Tokyo by a special chartered PAA 707 jetliner last night for an overnight stop en route to New Delhi for a four-day state visit,” reported the South China Morning Post on October 6, 1962.

“The President is making his first trip to Japan, India, the Philippines and Indonesia. Sr Mateos will be joined in India by his wife and their daughter, Avecita, who arrived yesterday in Calcutta from Istanbul where she attended a congress.

“On arrival at Kai Tak the President was met on the tarmac by Capt F.C.W. Courtenay-Thompson, Honorary ADC to His Excellency the Governor; Mr E.G. Willan, Political Adviser to the Government of Hongkong; Mr F. Lillywhite, Acting Airport Commandant; and Mr P. E. Peachey, First Secretary Commercial of the office of the Indian Commission representing the Indian Commissioner.

He was also welcomed by Sr Alberto Vasquez, President of the Latin American Association of Hongkong, whose members were also present to greet the President.

Mateos (back middle) at Kai Tak Airport with his wife, as she is presented with a bouquet of flowers. Photo: SCMP

“At a brief press conference in the security/VIP room Sr Mateos refused to comment about the Communist build-up in Cuba, nor would he express an opinion as to whether the build-up was posing a threat to his country.

“Sr Mateos, speaking through an interpreter, told the press that in the opinion of the Mexican government […] it ‘is no longer any news. It has been published many times and the news has been carried around the world.’

“In an answer to a question Sr Mateos said that he would be too busy preparing for the itinerary of his State visit to India to be able to find time to go shopping in Hongkong.”

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