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CONFIDENTIAL: MACIE 2011 MA Clip
BBC RELAY STATION IN HONG KONG
CUS
23 JUN
DESK OFFICEA INDEX
PA
Pas 23/6
1. I submit 'Points to Make' on this subject for your meeting with the Governor of Hong Kong on 22 June.
2.
In our Telegram Number 539 we asked the Governor for an account of his discussions with the Chairman of the BBC. Mr George Howard, and for his views on the possible risks involved in the proposal. The Governor replied in Hong Kong Telegram Number 604 of 18 June. Peking's views are in their Telegram Number 435 of 17 June.
3.
Mr Howard seems to be under an illusion about Hong Kong's willingness to support this project, as evidenced by his letter to the Secretary of State (with whom he is lunching on 25 June). Despite Mr Howard's belief that it would be in Hong Kong's interest to contribute towards the cost of a relay station (Mr Howard's letter of 16 June), the Governor does not think that EXCO and LEGCO would approve such a contribution. As far as HMG is concerned, Mr Ridley will make it clear to the BBC, that in agreeing the BBC's future capital expenditure programme in principle, this must be balanced by economies on current expenditure. This will be controversial and an announcement is likely in Parliament on 25 June (see text in attached draft telegram). It would not therefore be appropriate to ask the Governor to submit to EXCO on this matter at the present time but we will be under pressure from the BBC to do so in due course.
It will also be necessary to correct some of the BBC's impressions on the political position. The general concept of improving relations between Hong Kong and China is unexceptionable, but to suggest that the expiry of the lease is of 'no significance to the Chinese is a gross oversimplification.
4.
Bij
(14)
19 June 1981
CC
Information Department
FED
R D Clift
Hong Kong and General Department
Thanks. This was
Many
fully
Covered in the balk with Mr. Ridley. We barely
linched
on
ir at
my meeting.
Asterald
CONFIDENTIAL
22/6
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