CONFIDENTIAL
copard to Hong Kong
Paliny for Pro's wint
PRIME MINISTER
CABLE AND WIRELESS: GUANGDONG
You will wish to know that Cable and Wireless, in partnership with the Guangdong Posts and Telecommunications
Administrative Bureau, have won the contract to install a microwave network in Guangdong running east and west of the Province through Guangzhou. I enclose a background note on the project.
This is a victory for Britain. It has been achieved without Government subsidy. The amount of equipment involved will be small but the contract has tremendous significance in opening the door for further UK involvement in an area of rapid industrial growth. It is a major achievement and the political and economic implications of this partnership venture for Anglo-Chinese relations and for Hong Kong's position as a communications centre in the Far East are significant.
There will be a signing ceremony in London, early in September, which Patrick or I will attend, but in view of the contract's importance Eric Sharp, the Chairman of Cable and Wireless, has asked if you would consider stopping off in Canton for a ceremony to mark the establishment of the microwave network.
I know that the planning for your visit is well advanced but I wonder whether there is any possibility of fitting this in.
I am copying this to Francis Pym.
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KENNETH BAKER
1) August 1982
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M54/M54ACE