CODE 18 - 77
NOTE FOR THE RECORD
Mr Allen
cc:
CRD HKGD
Mr Garside PEKING
Reference...
(99)
Hers at THJ. 5TH QU
82318
R..
Queue
OFFICS
INDEX
ΡΑ
Letio i Tasz
Mr Orr, APA HONG KONG
-
HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL SOCIETY CALL BY MR ANTHONY CHARDET 16 AUGUST
1. Following his letter to me of 14 August (attached), Mr Chardet called on me this morning to explain his ideas for sending performers from the Hong Kong Festival to Peking. He had two specific projects in mind: the Chichester Theatre's presentation of Julius Caesar at the 1979 Festival (4 February to 6 March); and the Halle Orchestra at the 1981 Festival. I told him that I thought both these should go down well with the Chinese and encouraged him to write to Mr Hu Ting-yi, who I explained was in China at present in connection with the Sino-British educational exchange programme following Mrs Williams' recent visit to Peking. Mr Chardet said that on the assumption that Mr Hu's response was encouraging, he would like to go to Peking in early November and wondered if he would have problems with a visa. I said that in the present climate he probably would not.
2. Mr Chardet mentioned financial support. I said that so far as I knew the FCO had no funds for supporting cultural activities as such, but I encouraged him to pursue contacts he already has with the British Council and said I would report his plans to my colleagues in Cultural Relations Department who were responsible for policy in such matters. He said that Mr Dick Taverne, who has connections with ATV, would be interested in covering the Julius Caesar performance in China, if it materialised, and providing some financial support; but he believed that additional funds would be needed. He undertook, at my request, to send copies to us of his future correspondence with Mr Hu, with Dr Wilson/Mr Orr, and with the Embassy in Peking. He spoke warmly of the support and encouragement he had had both in Hong Kong and from the Embassy, and in particular in glowing terms of Sir M Maclehose.
16 August 1978
Ras
RC Samuel
Far Eastern Dept