TNAG-0752-FCO40-956-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 16

Original at: HKK 306!

HICK

--CONFIDENTIAL

This Copy for:

Information only/Action on

Para(s)

HKR OLOL!

RECENDO LA REGISTRY NO. 51 ? 1 AU 1978

INDEX

Mr McQuillan, Information Policy Department

OFFICER

PA

221 nfi

BBC EXTERNAL SERVICES: POSSIBLE TRANSMITTER IN HONG KONG

REGISTRY Action Taken

1. The Chief Clerk is of course quite right in saying that there must be a question mark over investment in new transmitters (or, indeed, anything else in Hong Kong) in 1985/6, as suggested in the Report by the joint FCO/BBC Technical Planning Committee on the BBC External Services. The reason for this is, quite simply, that it is very difficult to be certain what Chinese policy towards Hong Kong will be so far ahead.

2. There is now a good deal of evidence that the present Hua/Teng leadership in China are more than content with the status quo in Hong Kong and will wish to see it continue for the foreseeable future, perhaps beyond 1997 when the New Territories Lease expires. This may still be the case in the mid-1980's, and it is at least conceivable that we may by then have reached some understanding with the Chinese over the future of the territory; the Chinese will be well aware that such an understanding will be necessary to maintain confidence as the date for the termination of the Lease draws near. But there can be no certainty.

3. I see no reason why Hong Kong should not be regarded as a possible site for a new transmitter in the mid- 1980's.

But a decision on whether or not to go for such should clearly be deferred until 1983/4, and it would be prudent to explore alternative sites in the meantime.

16 August 1978

CONFIDENTIAL

RJT McLaren

Hong Kong and General Department