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Hong Kong Department
FROM
: A D
ris
Information Department
DATE
17 July 1991
c Miss Spencer
BBC WORLD SERVICE: EAST ASIA RELAY STATION
1.
The Governor of Hong Kong indicated before his recent visit
to London that he wished to discuss the future of the East Asia
Relay Station in Hong Kong. In the event, this item was dropped
from the crowded agenda for his talks. Nonetheless, the
Governor clearly wishes to discuss the matter and, as you will
see below, the station's future after June 1997 is in
considerable doubt.
2.
The Hong Kong relay station went on the air in September
1987 and was part of a 10 year worldwide capital investment programme to improve World Service audibility. The relay
station cost £10 million and consists of two 250kW shortwave
transmitters which broadcast World Service programmes into
China, Japan and Korea. The relay station operates under a
licence issued by the Hong Kong authorities, which expires in
June 1997. I understand from the BBC that the licence was
limited to 1997 because, at the time, this seemed as far as the
Hong Kong authorities were prepared to go.
3.
There have been press reports in Hong Kong that radio emissions from the station might upset instruments on board aircraft using the new Hong Kong airport. Tests are being conducted this summer to determine the potential impact of the
station but this could become a contentious issue unless the