6.28P
FROM PRIVATE SECRETARY
28 June 1993
PS/No 10
As you may know Jonathan Dimbleby is making a film about the last years of British administration in Hong Kong. He began filming soon after the Governor's appointment in April 1992
and will continue until July 1997. The film will not be
transmitted until late 1997 at the earliest.
Jonathan Dimbleby has filmed extensively in Hong Kong
including the Governor and representatives from many walks of life in Hong Kong. He aims to follow closely political, economic and social developments and the evolution of Hong
Kong's reaction to them. Dimbleby is hoping that Chinese
officials will contribute to the production. We understand
that the Chinese Ambassador in London, Ma Yuzhen, is working with Dimbleby's team, but is not yet willing to be filmed.
They are having less success in Peking in persuading Chinese officials to take part but they are still hopeful. Filming in Peking has so far been limited to the Governor's visit there
in October 1992.
Dimbleby interviewed the Foreign Secretary on 28 April.
Dimbleby has asked, on several occasions, to film a policy
meeting chaired by the Foreign Secretary at which the Governor and our Ambassador to Peking would be present. The Foreign Secretary decided against filming these meetings because of the inhibiting effect on the discussions which would have