CONFIDENTIAL
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12. Mr John Swire referred to the question of reciprocity in air licensing. There was a very strong feeling, particularly among young Chinese in Hong kong, that Hong Kong's own airline should be given reciprocal rights with British Airways. They looked at the other Chinese city state in the area, Singapore, and asked why the Singaporean airline could operate a frequent service to London. This was one of the factors behind the strong feeling in Hong Kong which had produced leading articles in every Hong Kong paper.
13.
In answer to a question, the Swires explained that Swire Pacific owned 60% of CPA. Swire Pacific was however a public company and it was not possible to say exactly where control lay. John Swire and Sons owned about 15% of Swire Pacific. British Airways in turn owned 15% of CPA.
Distribution:
PS/Mr Blaker
Mr Murray
Sir Murray MacLehose HONG KONG HKGD
CONFI DENTI AL