ER Kelly Esq
Controller (Overseas)
Central Office of Information
Hercules Road
London SE1 7DU
}
Annex B
PGF / 301/6
༥ ཀ
URY NO. (1
30 MAY 1979
19
INDEX
RA
29 May 1979
INFORMATION WORK IN HONG KONG
1.
Unlike you I have not prepared, anyway as yet, comprehensive report on my overseas visit. I did, however, promise to drop you a line about one or two problems which were drawn to my attention during my visit to the British Trade Commission in Hong Kong.
2.
coi
The first set of problems concerns the material the COI is now sending to the BTC under the heading "fädě with China" It was put to me in very measured tones by Mr. Edward Ho, the LE I, that the stories being sent were largely old hat and had appeared in the Hong Kong press. Certainly it is my impression that the Iong Kong press pounces on all agency reports on deals with China and that therefore none of these are news (as you will realise the Chinese press in Hong Kong and the NCNA are
There is also exposed to news coming over agBP£Vivires). inevitably a delay in receipt of Trade with China" and because no dates are put in the COI pieces it often is difficult to know exactly what particular event is being referred to (I think we agreed that to say a deal was recently completed could be misleading). Mr. Ho also made a point, which I found ochoed in other parts of the Far East, that what was required. was pieces which went in depth into a particular question rather than describing an item of news.
British
The
3. In connexion with "Trade with China", as you may know this at present is not being translated into Chinese (the Chinese mainland reader is of course used to simplified characters whereas in Hong Kong the more traditional characters are used, and indeed the BTC's material is translated into these). whole question of the BTC's function in connexion with trade with China is, as you know, to be looked at by our Inspectors (Michael James's letter of 25 April refers). It will no doubt in part depend upon their recommendations whether a translator for work connected with China can be taken on.
14.