239
British Embassy
3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington
Telex Domestic USA 89-2370/89-2384
Telex International 64224(WUI)/248308(RCA)/440015(ITT) Telephone (202) 462-1340
HKK 020/
«LARGATY NO. 51
JAN 1979
OFFICER
REGISTRY
Action Taken
R E Allen Esq
FED
FCO
Our reference
Date
29 December 1978
Dear F
PINYIN
1. Iain Orr's letter of 14 December mentioned possible Whitehall interest in how the US Government intends to adapt to Pinyin when it supercedes Wade Giles on New Year's Day. Since the relevant offices in the State Department are understandably preoccupied with other matters at the moment, I have not bothered them with enquiries about Pinyin yet. But the US Joint Publications Research Service has produced a short handbook on Pinyin romanization of Chinese proper names which announces that the FBIS at least intends to go over completely to Pinyin on 1 January. I enclose copies for yourself, Iain Orr and Roger Garside. (Please could you distribute further if necessary). Apparently, the FBIS intends to go the whole hog and it looks as though they are going to start calling Peking Beijing City and Canton Guangzhou.
Copy to:
Happy New Ye
3.
J P Millington
I C Orr, Assistant Political Adviser, HONG KONG RR Garside, PEKING
A O Blishen Esq OBE, TOKYO
J Thompson Esq MBE, HK&GD, FCO
RF Wye Esq, Research Dept, FCO
M&VD,
FCO
PUSD, FCO
KC Walker Esq, Assessments Staff, Cabinet Office