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4.6.
CONFIDENTIAL
Copred to Mr. Flower SERO PGO 26
Chief Clet 5.16
M. Marin
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HKCD,
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Mr. Willmmon
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BBC RELAY STATION IN HONG KONG
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1 In a recent comment the PUS asked about the BBC proposal to build a relay station in Hong Kong. The first question is indeed whether the finance for a relay station will be forthcoming. This depends on whether Ministers agree the package for BBC expenditure proposed by Mr Ridley. If they do not, the issue of the Far East relay station is unlikely to arise. But in case they do, I have asked the Departments to begin thinking about the advisability, or otherwise, of locating such a station in Hong Kong; and if it is not to be located there, where else it might be located, eg Brunei.
2
There will be conflicting arguments to be balanced.
It can
be argued that funds to allow the BBC to go ahead with the relay station in Hong Kong would demonstrate confidence in the future of the territory, and that on this front alone the risk involved would be acceptable.
3 On the other hand, we could be asked why £6 million is being allocated to a station which would come into operation only in 1989 on territory to which we will have title only until 1997. The second question is whether we should bank on the Chinese remaining as friendly to Hong Kong as they are now, because if their attitude changes we might find that it was politically impossible for the BBC to broadcast from Hong Kong anyway.
4
An allied issue is whether we should ask the Chinese whether they see objection to a BBC relay station: whether we simply tell them; or leave them to find out which they surely will when we start building - which leads on to the question of what we would do if they raised objection.
5 The Hong Kong Government in any case wish to be consulted before things are taken any further. In the meantime, I have asked the Departments to begin consultation with Hong Kong and Peking on a contingency basis so that we can put the issue to Ministers before the BBC are allowed to dash off and start putting up aerials (or, rather, dishes).
HICLE
30611
RECEIVED IN ROSSTRY NO. 51
5 JUN 1921
28 May 1981
DESK OFFICER INDEX
PA
Acton Taken
pão 516
G
Edward Youde
дала
yu.
I apce.
cc:
Lord N Gordon Lennox
Mr MacInnes
Mr Clift
Mr McLaren
CONFIDENTIAL