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VISIT OF HEAD OF OID TO HONG KONG, 11-15 MAY
INTRODUCTION
1.
The visit of the Head of Overseas Information Department to Hong Kong arose from an approach from Mr. David Ford, the Secretary for Information in the Hong Kong Government, who called on Mr. Leahy in December 1978 on his way from Northern Ireland, where he had been on secondment to the Northern Ireland Office, to Hong Kong. Mr. Ford had expressed his willingness to be helpful over the projection of Britain in Hong Kong and also wished to explore ways in which the FCO could be helpful to Hong Kong in that Government's information activities. The problem of UK information work in the Colony had been referred to in Section IV of the Inspection Report on the British Trade Commission, Hong Kong, prepared by Mr. M.S. Berthoud and Mr. D. Harris. The Inspectors' conclusion at that time was that the British Trade Commission's role was bound to be limited and that there was a case for a study of this problem in consultation with the relevant departments of the Hong Kong Government and possibly the British Council. In addition OID maintains an interest in the Press Research Unit, which was created on the demise of the Regional Information Office.
2.
The programme for the visit is at Annex A.
COMMERCIAL INFORMATION WORK
3.
The British Trade Commission concerns itself with information activities in support of export promotion in Hong Kong.
As a result of the recommendations of the Inspectors, the Information Section is no longer headed by a home-based officer. An LEI, Mr. Edward Ho, was appointed in February 1979 to head the Section, consisting of three other locally-engaged staff. So far as could be judged this is an efficient Section. There are, however, a number of points which need further consideration. referred to in correspondence at Annex B. One matter not mentioned in this is the fact that locally-employed staff of the BTC are not allowed under present rules to see documents classified Restricted. This is being pursued with Security Department.
EXPORT PROMOTION TO CHINA
4.
These are
The information aspects in Hong Kong of trade with China (and mainland Chinese trade activities in the Colony) will clearly form part of a wider consideration of how much the BTC can assist with export promotion to the PRC. The future of the China Trade Section of the British Trade Commission is still under review and the Inspectors will be looking into this during the summer. Meanwhile the COI have been preparing material on trade with China. This is not entirely satisfactory
see comments in Mr. Allan's
letter of 29 May to Mr. Kelly, COI (Annex B).
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/POLITICAL/ECONOMIC