RESTRICTED
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 1948
OF 2110OOZ JULY 88
RESTRICTED
040/2500
FURB.040
TECE
22 JUL 1983
COPY DIST ?
за
076530
MDHOAN 0919
IND
تمع
1.
MP'S LETTER: UK LINKS WITH HONG KONG : TEACHING OF ENGLISH
THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING LETTER FROM ANDREW ROWE MP, PURSUANT TO HIS REMARKS IN THE DEBATE ON 15 JULY, TO WHICH YOU SHOULD ALSO REFER.
BEGINS.
2.
WE SPOKE IN THE LOBBY AND I WISH TO SAY
HOW STRONGLY I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD USE POSITIVELY OUR DECLINING YEARS IN HONG KONG TO MAXIMISE OUR OPPORTUNITIES AND TO CREATE THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE CASE FOR FUTURE TRADE AND CULTURAL INFLUENCE.
I AM TOLD BY A NUMBER OF REPUTABLE OBSERVERS THAT
THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH IN HONG KONG SCHOOLS IS IN DECLINE. THIS, IF TRUE, WOULD BE A WHOLLY UNNECESSARY
WEAKENING OF OUR POSITION AND THAT OF THE WEST FOR WHOM ENGLISH IS INFINITELY MORE ACCESSIBLE THAN CHINESE. COULD YOU LOOK INTO IT, PLEASE, AND EITHER REASSURE ME OR TAKE ACTION TO CHANGE THE SITUATION? ENDS.
WE WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR COMMENTS ON THE ABOVE
AND HIS REMARKS IN THE DEBATE
ON WHICH WE CAN BASE A DRAFT REPLY. TO MEET OUR DEADLINE, WE WOULD BE GRATEFUL TO RECEIVE YOUR COMMENTS DESKBY 260800Z.
HOWE
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