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OF PUBLIC OPINION IN GENERAL, EVEN ON THE ISSUES ON WHICH THEY
SPEAK, AS THE AMOUNT OF PUBLICITY THEY RECEIVE MIGHT SUGGEST. THERE
ARE STRONGLY CONSERVATIVE GROUPINGS OF BUSINESS LEADERS AND OF
THE OLDER GENERATION WHO SHARE CHINESE RESERVATIONS ON THE PACE
OF '1
''DEMOCRATISATION''.
N.C.N.A.
12. MR RENTON WILL MEET MR XU JIATUN, DIRECTOR OF THE NEW CHINA
NEWS AGENCY, AT THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE DINNER. THE NEW CHINA NEWS
AGENCY PLAYS THE ROLE OF CHINA'S UNOFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE IN HONG
KONG. MR XU IS A SENIOR MEMBER OF THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY.
THE MEDIA
13. MR RENTON WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE BEFORE DEPARTURE. EVERY
EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO CONCENTRATE THE ATTENTION OF THE PRESS ON
THAT ENGAGEMENT. BUT THE HONG KONG MEDIA ARE ADEPT AT DOOR
STEPPING'' DISTINGUISHED VISITORS ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE AT
ENGAGEMENTS OUTSIDE GOVERNMENT HOUSE, AND ON DISTRICT VISITS.
ALTHOUGH CARE WILL NEED TO BE TAKEN NOT TO PRE-EMPT THE MAIN PRESS
CONFERENCE A SHORT COMMENT RELATING TO THE PROGRAMME ITEM JUST
COMPLETED CAN HELP TO ENSURE WIDER COVERAGE, PARTICULARLY
TELEVISION COVERAGE, OF THE VISIT.
YOUDE
LIMITED
MKD
PS/MR RENTON SIR W. HARDING MR WILSON
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