TNAG-1077-FCO40-1327-Broadcasting-in-Hong-Kong-proposed-BBC-relay-station-1981 — Page 99

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CONFIDENTIAL

FM PEKING 170620Z JUN 81

TO PRIORITY F C O

TELNO 435 OF 17 JUNE

INFO PRIORITY HONG KONG.

17

YOUR TELNO 539 TO HONG KONG: BBC RELAY STATION

1. MY VIEW IS THAT WE SHOULD SAY NOTHING TO THE CHINESE. WE SHOULD SIMPLY GO AHEAD AND BUILD THE RELAY STATION. (ASSUMING OF COURSE THE DECISION GOES THAT WAY). IF WE WERE TO SPEAK TO THEM BEFORE- HAND WE WOULD RUN THE RISK OF CREATING A CHINA/HONG KONG ISSUE WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE BE AVOIDED.

2. IF THE CHINESE WERE TO ENQUIRE ABOUT THE RELAY STATION, SHOULD SAY, QUITE TRUTHFULLY, THAT ITS PURPOSE IS TO IMPROVE THE

WHICH IS QUALITY OF RECEPTION OF BBC SERVICES IN THE FAR EAT, CURRENTLY INFERIOR TO VOA AND OTHERS.

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