CONFIDENTIAL FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 2480
OF 2810OOZ JUNE 88
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
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CONFIDENTIAL
HKD 306
000702
MDHIAN 5128
TOP TOP COPY
OUR TELNO 1662 : RENEWAL OF TV LICENCES : FOREIGN OWNERSHIP
WE
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FOR REASONS SET OUT IN PARA. 5 OF TUR (FURTHER ELABORATED IN PARA. OF THE EXCO MEMO XCC(88)88 BEING SENT SEPARATELY TO YOU BY BAG), RECOMMENDED TO EXCO THAT FOREIGN OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF TV LICENSEE COMPANIES SHOULD BE RESTRICTED TO THOSE WHO ARE ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG AND HAVE BEEN SO FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN 7 YEARS (I.E. TO REVISE THE EARLIER DECISION TO RELATE SUCH A RESTRICTION TO THOSE WHO HAD RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG). EXCO APPROVED OUR RECOMMENDATION ON 21 JUNE AND ALSO APPROVED THE INTRODUCTION OF THE TELEVISION (ADMENDMENT) BILL 1988 INTO THE LEGCO. THE BILL WAS GAZETTED (MADE PUBLIC) ON 24 JUNE.
2. AS EXPLAINED IN PARAS. 6 AND 7 OF TUR, OUR PROPOSED NEW LICENSING CONDITIONS ON FOREIGN OWNERSHIP RISK PROVOKING A CHINESE DEMARCHE. WE HAVE THUS PREPARED A DRAFT DEFENSIVE LINE TO TAKE IN MIFT (WHICH WAS APPROVED BY EXCO) AND A DRAFT Q AND A BRIEF IN MY 2ND IFT. GRATEFUL FOR YOUR COMMENTS A.S.A.P.
WILSON
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