results of the tests are 100% clear.
4. We now seem to be faced with a great deal of uncertainty about the future of the station. We are calling up the back papers to check whether any Chinese assurances were sought or given about the post-1997 status of the station. However as the BBC are unaware of any assurances, and the Joint Declaration makes no mention of the relay station, we do not expect to find. anything. Even if assurances were given, we would have to
consider what reliance could be placed on them.
5. On the assumption that the Chinese authorities have not given any assurances about the continued use of the relay station after June 1997, and bearing in mind the airport
problem, we ought to consider how to proceed. Coincidentally,
the BBC are developing plans for a new relay station in Thailand, to serve the Indian sub-Continent. If the Thais are prepared to allow the BBC to go ahead (the signs are moderately encouraging), and if the future of the Hong Kong station is not secure, we could add to the proposed station the capability to serve the same areas as the Hong Kong relay station and either close Hong Kong as soon as practicable or run both in parallel for as long as the Chinese would allow it. This would be costly
and it is therefore something which we would need to consider very carefully. The first step, I suspect, is to consider with Hong Kong if there is anything we could do to secure the future
of the station in its present location, with due regard for the
airport and the post-1997 situation. I should be grateful for
your advice.
Authry
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A D Harris