Mr Donald
PM'S VISIT TO CHINA:
1.
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HONG KONG PRESS
Mr Clift, HKGD
Mr Goulden, News Dept Miss Noble, PCD
120
You commented on Hong Kong telno 827 that the presence of Hong Kong journalists in Peking during the PM's visit would make even more tricky the handling of the Hong Kong discussion. You also asked whether we could have a word with the Chinese Embassy here with a view to discouraging the issue of visas.
2.
Before you minuted, PCD had copied the telegram to the Press Office at No 10 for comments (which we still await). As Hong Kong point out, ethnic Chinese reporters (the main problem) can travel to Peking without visas, so neither we nor the Chinese can keep them out. There are precedents for accrediting Hong Kong-based journalists to British Ministerial visits in China (eg the BBC's Jim Biddulph with ethnic Chinese assistant and camera team).
3.
Unless No 10 see objection I therefore recommend that we should agree to seek official accreditation for a small pool of Hong Kong journalists.
5 August 1982
Markshist
Mark Elliott.
Mr. Payles
Да
Far Eastern Department
156
1.
I an Kydd of No 10 ray
Richard Hoare
poterday: Thought that
No 10 would not
object but he
any ready travelling
alive
чек
rek journalists in HR not
with PM shanidbe
exforced similar facility of accreditation. 2. If HK youmelists Mod can go to Poking
(I pressime it wa. be difficult to shop them)
anyway
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