TNAG-1054-FCO40-1304-Trade-relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-UK-1981 — Page 13

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CO BTC HONG KONG DESKBY 0101002

GRS 240

29706 1

HKK 121/10

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DESKBY 0 10 100Z

FM FCO 301150Z SEP 81

TO IMMEDIATE BTC HONG KONG

TELEGRAM NUMBER BTC 49 OF 30 SEPTEMBER

FOR MARCH FROM CLIFT

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PRA

16

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YOUR TELS NUS BTC 119 AND 121: HONG KONG TV EXPORTS 1. WE HAVE REPEATED TO YOU A TELEGRAM TO DURWARD EXPLAINING THE

POSITION. I HOPE THIS WILL PREVENT PROBLEMS DURING THE RIC VISIT. 2. THE DUI OF COURSE SHOULD HAVE CLEARED THEIR LINE WITH US AND

DOT. WE WERE NOT CONSULTED EITHER ABOUT SIR K JOSEPH'S BRIEF. WE WILL BE TAKING THESE POINTS UP WITH 'DOI. THEIR PROBLEM OF COURSE STEMS FROM THE INTENSE PRESSURE ON THE BRITISH ELECTRONICS INDSUTRY. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE RIC MADE A VERY STRONG PITCH ON

MR BAKER ON FAR EAST EXPORTS AS A WHOLE COMBINING THE PROBLEMS OF RE-EXPORT THROUGH HONG KONG WITH HONG KONG MANUFACTURED TV

SETS. WE HAVE STRESSED TO THE DOI THAT THEY WILL PREJUDICE THEIR CHANCES OF COOPERATION ON THE RE-EXPORT PROBLEM IF THEY GO DOWN THE BLIND ALLEY OF VRAT WE HAVE ALSO EXPLAINED THE NEED FOR FURTHER INFORMATION FROM THIS END BEFORE HONG KONG CAN DO MUCH

MORE.

3. ATKINSON OF IT DIVISION WILL BE VISITING HONG KONG IN

OCTOBER AND PROPOSES TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM WITH DORWARD AND

UTHERS. I THINK THIS WOULD BE USEFUL IF ONLY TO CLEAR UP SOME

HISCONCEPTIONS. THE DOI ARE INCLINED TO TAKE THE VIEW THAT HONG KONG HAVE BEEN DELAYING ON COOPERATION ON RE-EXPORTS.

WE HAVE SAID THIS IS QUITE UNFAIR.

4. YOU MAY WISH TO HOLD A REPLY TO ATKINSON UNTIL AFTER THE

RIC VISIT.

CARRINGTON

LIMITED HK & GD MR DONALD

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