CRS
SECRET
Original at: 14 GREL
atik 14/1
This Copy for:
Information only / Action.an
HONG KONG 072 NOV 78
TELEGRAM NUMBER 1289 OF 7 NOVEMBER
PRIORITY FCO
INFO PEKING, CANBERRA AND SINGAPORE
INFO SAVING WELLINGTON
HKK 341/1
REZUNLA
INDEX
10 GAY KU. 31
031
PLEASE PASS. TO CABINET OFFICE FOR SECRETARY JIC.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE LIC ASSESSMENT FOR OCTOBER 1978.
CHINESE COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES.
CLE
seehous
Planter sections ar appropriate
feleis
THE 44TH EXPORT COMMODITIES FAIR OPENED IN CANTON ON 15 OCTOBER.
ATTENDANCE FIGURES UP TO THE END OF THE MONTH SHOW THAT THERE HAS
BEEN A 26 PERCENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF FOREIGN TRAVELLERS ATTENDING THE FAIR (AND A 33 PERCENT INCREASE IN HONG KONG RESIDENTS) COMPARED WITH THE 1977 AUTUMN FAIR. THE OPENING WAS MARKED BY THE INAUGURATION (ON 12 OCTOBER) OF TWICE-DAILY CHARTER
FLIGHTS FROM CANTON BY CHINESE-OWNED TRIDENT AIRCRAFT (PARA 4 OF SEPTEMBER'S ASSESSMENT REFERS). THESE FLIGHTS WILL BECOME THRICE DAILY FROM 8 TO 17 NOVEMBER.
2. SEVEN ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS BY THE KIU KWONG
INVESTMENT CORPORATION, WHICH ACTS FOR ORGANISATIONS BASED IN CHINA,
HAVE BEEN NOTED THIS MONTH (SEE PARA 2 OF JULY'S ASSESSMENT).
COMMUNIST BANKS HAVE OPENED NINE NEW BRANCHES SO FAR THIS YEAR (COMPARED WITH SIX IN 1977), MAKING A TOTAL OF 139 OUTLETS.
REPORTS OF JOINT HONG KONG - CHINESE BUSINESS VENTURES IN CHINA
CONTINUE TO FIGURE PROMINENTLY IN THE PRESS. MANY OF THESE REFORTS
ARE SPECULATIVE BUT SO FAR AT LEAST SEVEN REFLECT SERIOUS
DISCUSSIONS.
3. AN AGREEMENT FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF A REGULAR HOVERFERRY
SERVICE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANTON ON 17 NOVEMBER WAS SIGNED IN
CANTON ON 12 OCTOBER BY THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE HONG KONG -
YAUMATE! FERRY COMPANY AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE KWANGTUNG
PROVINCIAL BUREAU OF MARITIME TRANSPORT IN CANTON. THIS IS PART
OF CHINA'S ATTEMPTS TO EXPAND TOURISM, CHINA TRAVEL SERVICE (HK)
LIMITED ANNOUNCED PLANS ON 6 OCTOBER TO EXTEND THE RANGE OF PACKAGE
TOURS TO CHINA BY OPENING EIGHT NEW ROUTES IN 1979 WHICH WILL BE
AVAILABLE ONLY FOR FOREIGN VISITORS.
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