TNAG-1157-FCO40-1437-Visits-by-FCO-Ministers-to-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 158

CONFIDENTIAL

LORD BELSTEAD'S VISIT TO HONG KONG : 6 TO 10 DECEMBER 1982

BRIEF NO.19 : THE BRITISH COUNCIL IN HONG KONG: BACKGROUND BRIEF

1.

BACKGROUND

The British Council began work in Hong Kong in 1948. A small

Direct Teaching of English Operation opened its doors in 1976.

There are now over 12,000 students, some 120 locally-engaged

teachers and over 50 office staff. Over £1.7 million of revenue is generated per annum and the Council's work in Hong Kong is

entirely self-supporting.

2. AIM

The aim of the British Council in Hong Kong is to promote an

enduring understanding and appreciation of Britain through cultural, educational and technical cooperation, and specifically by:

(a) running a Direct Teaching of English Operation to high

professional standards;

(b)

advising the Hong Kong Department of Education on the

improvement of English teaching in schools;

(c)

retraining English Language teachers for Hong Kong

Department of Education;

(d)

(e)

running a balanced programme of activities in the Arts;

promoting academic and professional exchanges between

Britain and Hong Kong with particular emphasis on staff development in key institutions;

(E)

acting as an information point on Britain.

The Council plans to maintain at the present level a broad and

balanced programme of activity which is entirely financed from its local earnings. The Council's office also provides support

services for Council work in China.

CONFIDENTIAL

3.