CONFIDENTIAL
- 3
Press Handling
10.
Some days before the visit we asked the Shenzhen
authorities, through NCNA, to provide fixed position photo opportunities for the press, so that they did not follow the Governor throughout his trip. No such arrangements were made. Sixty or seventy press trailed the Governor, jostling his staff and forming a scrum around him for the entire visit. They were
removed for the lunch and the after-lunch talks, but only after
long, shambolic photo-calls at each. NCNA were clearly embarrassed about the lack of organization; Shenzhen officials
were at a loss to know what could be done. By contrast, the press waiting for the Governor at the heliport in Hong Kong could not have been better organized.
Political Adviser's Office
9th March, 1988
c.c.
CS
S for S
PA
SGD
STI
SES
S for T
SLW
DIS
APA (S)
PS/GH
Miss A. Bailes, Peking Mr R. Footman, HKD, FCO Ms P. Major, FED, FCO
CONFIDENTIAL