TNAG-1556-FCO40-2120-Broadcasting-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 15

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ALIDENTIAL

LE COPI

COMMS OFFICE REG NO.

D.T.R. 8th AUGUST 1984 0700HRS.

(53)

CONFIDENTIAL

DESKBY 0801007 (08900 H.K TIME)

FM FCO 07164OZ AUGUST 84

TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG

TELEGRAM NUMBER 1550 OF 7 AUGUST

AND TO IMMEDIATE PEKING

BBC RELAY STATION IN HONG KONG

1. PARAGRAPH 28 OF THE FOURTH REPORT OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE STATES THAT -

'OUR PREDECESSOR COMMITTEE STRONGLY SUPPORTED IN THE PAST THE

THE POSITION HAS ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONQ KONQ RELAY STATION. CHANGED IN SOME RESOECTS SINCE THEN IN THAT IT IS NOW CLEAR THAT SOVEREIGNTY OVER HONG KONQ WILL OASS TO CHINA IN 1997. THE IMOLICATIONS FOR THE OROOOSED RELAV STATION OF THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY SHOULD BE MADE CLEAR.'

2. IN OUR OROOOSED REPLY: WHICH WILL BE PUBLISHED (PROBABLY IN MID-CCTOBER). WE PROPOSE TO SAY

'HMG AGREED IN 1981 TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RELAY STATION IN HONG KONG IN THE YEARS 1985-88 IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT SECURITY OF TENURE COULD NOT BE GUARANTEED AFTER 1997. IT WAS RECKONED THAT ABOUT 9 YEARS' SECURE USE OF THE STATION REPRESENTED A REASONABLE RETURN ON THE

INVESTMENT. APPROVAL HAS NOW BEEN QIVEN TO THE BBC EXTERNAL SERVICES TO MAKE A START THIS YEAR, WHICH IT IS HOPED WILL ACCELERATE THE PROJECT. THUS POSSIBLY EXTENDING THE GUARANTEED

THE BBC ENJOY A HIG REPUTATION OERIOD OF USE OF THE STATION.

AND A WIDE AUDIENCE IN CHINA. THERE IS THEREFORE A REASONABLE

LIKELIHOOD OF

CONTINUED OPERATION AFTER 1997.

IF NOT. IT WOULD STILL BE OOEN

TO THE BBC TO REMOVE THE TRANSMITTERS AND MASTS AND USE THEM

ELSEWHERE.'

3.

923

GRATEFUL FOR ANY COMMENTS DESK BY 090900Z (091700 H.K TIME)

CON

CONFIDENTIAL

GOVERNM

3(GD)(3),PA, SHA, PS/GH

BECRE

84

645

TARIAT

GF

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