TNAG-1599-FCO40-2192-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1987 — Page 21

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CENTRAL OFFICE OF INFORMATION

Report on a visit by

Mr Dick HO Ting-man

News Editor, Sing Tao Wan Pao

Mr LAI Ting-yiu

IN CONFIDENCE

Mr Form A. plnite pa

Feature Editor, Economic Journal

Mr Tavier LAU Chi-kuen

Chief of Staff, South China Morning Post

Mr LEE Tai-on

Deputy Assistant Editor, Asia Television Ltd

Mr Alego POON Wing-Keung

Assistant Deputy News Editir, Sing Pao

HONG KONG

15-28 November 1987

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HERB 01112..

AKCE VEG

INDEX

1 1 JAN 1988

You Rap 16/12

Roman Mor Hum

16/12

1751

Tis subin is feeling Uk menul

مناظت ملا

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Is th

Samp

was here (last of all the

Jo Iself!)

2 We work shart Claus is some

Ony

منتا

GENERAL

pementos

Croa

Apart from Mr Lee, all had visited Britain before and appeared to be well-informed and reasonably knowledgeable about the country. Mr Lau assumed the position of leader of the group. Positive, outspoken and rather demanding, he asked more questions than the others and was at times provocative and critical. The rest of the group were mostly quiet and unresponsive, although on the last day, when Mr Lau was not with them, they seemed much livelier and more talkative.

Mr Lee, on his very first day in Britain, had his passport and airline ticket stolen during a trip on the Underground. Fortunately, these items were later found and returned to him.

PROGRAMME

At the programme discussion the group appeared happy with the London programme, but were not sure that the regional programme was totally suited to their needs.

The time spent with officials from the Hong Kong Government Office served as a useful introduction to the programme and Britain's relationship with Hong Kong. The Commissioner, Mr Selwyn Alleyne, was particularly welcoming and talked at some length to the group, going through the programme in detail with them. Following discussions with Mr Paul Brown, the group had a good opportunity to meet and talk with approximately ten Hong Kong correspondents based in Britain.

The journalists appeared to very much enjoy the day and for Mr Lee, who had not previously visited Britain, it was a particularly useful introduction.

1

IN CONFIDENCE