TNAG-0906-FCO40-1116-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 82

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Canto to discuss a possible bus service with Inchcape Far East Ltd. in Hong Kong. He referred to my request for early information on any proposals resulting from this visit. The authorities in Canton had now sent detailed material which he had not had time to translate. A copy is attached of the translation prepared today in the Government Secretariat, together with the original Chinese text. I told Mr Tan that I would not comment until I had time to read the material. There is no indication as to when the Chinese propose that any of the bus and taxi services cuclined in the paper should start.

KMT activities

8.

Mr Tan said that as the celebrations drew to a close for the 30th anniversary of the Founding of the PRC, the NCHA wished to note that the attendance of the Governor at the reception on 30 September was a visible sign of how Close and friendly relations now were. However, the NOWA were now beginning to worry about KMT activities on the Double 10th. If they were allowed to show their flags in strength people would begin to doubt whether the close relations between Hong Kong and China were genuine or not. He hoped measures could be taken to control their activities. I caid no intelligent observer would fail to realise the difference between the activities of private individuals and official Government policy under which there was no recognition of the pretensions of the authorities in Taiwan,

9.

Me Tan said that the NCNA were concerned that two newspapers, the Wan Kiu Daily and the Sing Tao Daily were able to use the bogus date of the 'Republic of China' and allowed to print on their masthead (examples passed by Mr Tan attached) a statement that they were officially recognised by the Hong Kong Government for the publication of official `notices. The words printed on these papers were a cause

of concern and had bean so for many years. Great patience had been displayed in making no mention of this in the 7 years since ambassadors had been exchanged between China and the UK. I said that I could see no significance in the use by a newspaper of a calendar system which had no official status. I was not familiar with the background, but I understood that it was generally necessary for certain public notices to be printed in the press and it could be that the main consideration was to ensure that a reasonably large number of readers were reached. There was certainly no question of any linkage between the publication of official notices and endorsement by Government of the views expressed by any of the nowspapers used for this purpose. Mr Tar said that nevertheless many people' had expressed concern about the official status given to these newspapers. He hoped that this would be given serious attention by the Government. I merely undertook to comment further when I had investigated the background. It is worth noting that Mr Tan did not refer to the request made by the Wen Wei Pao to be placed in the list of newspapers in the Companies (Amendment) Bill. (See papers at folios 71 to 75

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5/on.....