GPS 210
CONFIDENTIALUKK 173
11731
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG 280848Z JAN 80
TO PRIORITY FCO
INFO PRIORITY PEKING
TOP
COP
TELEGRAM NUMBER 1640F 28 JANUARY
ROUTINE HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE LONDON
10
MYTELNO 80: THROUGH TRAIN SERVICE.
•No
50
See
THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE RAILWAY RECEIVED A MESSAGE TODAY FROM GUANGZHOU TO SAY THAT THE AUTHORITIES THERE WERE UNABLE TO START THE SECOND THROUGH TRAIN SERVICE ON 1 FEBRUARY AS PREVIOUSLY AGREED. THEY SAID THAT THE NEW SERVICE WOULD HAVE TO BE POSTPONED
UNTIL SOME TIME IN MARCH.
2. NO REASON WAS GIVEN FOR THIS SUDDEN CHANGE OF PLAN. IN CONVEYING THE MESSAGE, THE GUANGZHOU RAILWAY AUTHORITIES WERE AT PAINS TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE DECISION WAS NOT THEIRS AND THAT IT WAS NOT DUE TO SPECIFICALLY RAILWAY PROBLEMS.
3. WE HAVE TRIED, SO FAR UNSUCCESSFULLY, TO DISCOVER FROM NCNA HAT LIES BEHIND ALL THIS. IT MAY BE A CASE OF RIVALRY BETWEEN DIFFERENT CHINESE ORGANISATIONS, WITH THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE NEW NIGHTLY FERRY SERVICE TO CANTON (WHICH STARTED LAST WEEKEND) TRYING TO ENSURE THEY HAVE ENOUGH PASSENGERS OVER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR
MACLEHOSE
FILES
HK vGD FED MACD
MR CORTAZZ MR MURRAY MISS BROWN
Copies To:
HONG KONG GOVT Office
CONFIDENTIAL
LONDON
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.