TNAG-0116-FCO40-152-Departmental-Briefs-For-Meetings--Visits-and-Foreign-Affairs-1969 — Page 41

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OVERSEAS INFORMATION EXPENDITURE

PRE-ESTIMATES PLANNING 1969-70

S.E. ASIA AND FAR EAST

This paper covers information activities in the following countries as listed at Annex A in the group into which they fall according to their importance for British interests overseas as defined by the planners:- China, Japan, Hong Kong, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Mongolia.

There is no one common factor, e.g. of language, religion, economy, race or culture, although with the possible exception of Japan, there is one (negative) factor common to all: the

shadow of China.

Given this diversity our information approach must be country by country and this applies also with the current emphasis on assistance to industry to promote exports. There are many long-standing links with Britain in the region and there will be a continuing need for prestige publicity aimed at creating a favourable image of Britain.

There are B.B.C. vernacular services to most of the

countries, as well as the World Service, and the reputation of the B.B.C. appears to be high throughout the region. It is perhaps our best asset.

The British Council has a valuable role to play both in ' English teaching and, in a more sophisticated country like Japan, in arranging cultural manifestations from which commercial benefits

may also accrue.

The programme of officially sponsored visits by distinguished personalities from the region should continue.

CHINA (B)

The only information operations in China are weekly film shows and daily circulation of the B.B.C. World News which is

transmitted to Peking by COI/BBC. The relevant BBC Services

/are