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BBC WORLD SERVICE (BBCWS) RELAY STATION IN HONG KONG
Mr Burns has asked about the BBCWS relay station in Hong Kong (see Sir J Coles' minute of 3 May).
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Information Department has provided background
(Mr Rogers' minute attached). In short, the lease on the relay station, issued by HKG, expires in 1997. The future of the station has not been raised with the Chinese. However,
it appears that Ms Smith, (Controller, English Services, BBCWS) is to visit Peking shortly in order to raise the matter with the Ministry of Information. She plans to clear her lines first with HMA Peking.
3. The FCO (ie Info Dept) accept the matter will have to be raised but to date has kept a tight seal on the issue. The thinking behind this is that the lease stands the best chance of renewal if the station is well established before the Chinese are approached.
4. The BBC seem keen to get the ball rolling to ensure the station will remain in use in Hong Kong after 1997. Meanwhile plans are afoot to build a new relay station in Thailand to serve the Indian sub-continent and to act as a fall back should the Hong Kong station close down.
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The Hong Kong Government has told the BBC that they do not themselves think it is a good moment to raise the question of renewing the station's licence. (Mrs Cartland's memo attached).
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Info Dept has asked us:
(a) if we have any input on the question of the new Thai station on which the BBC are keen to press ahead; and
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(b) whether there is express provision for raising this matter with the Chinese under the Joint Declaration. should be grateful for Ms Major's views on this.
Emer Doherty
E Doherty
Hong Kong Department
WH 311
270 2657
2 July 1991
cc: Ms Major without attachments
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