TNAG-1738-FCO40-2454-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Macau-1988 — Page 58

CONFIDENTIAL

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Clists.

optimistic! Even the Portuguese airline dvesn't think there will be enough traffic.

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Mr. Melancia said that in his discussions with the Chinese about the airport, they had made it clear that there should be provision for flights from Taiwan to allow contacts between the PRC and Taiwan to take place in Macau. The airport would be able to take longhaul flights from Europe but he thought the Taiwan route would be the most important. He believed that the airport was important for the future autonomy of Macau. The Chinese saw it as a symbol of Portugese commitment to the future of Macau and to the Joint Declaration. The Governor said it was important that Macau and Hong Kong should remain closely in touch on the handling of air traffic and related matters.

1.

In reply to a question from the Governor, Mr. Melancia said that other development plans included a second bridge to Taipa, a small harbour and a new town for 120,000 people on Taipa. These projects would mean a very different future for Macau. He thought that they were important for the maintenance of economic prosperity in Macau.

Macau TV

Mr. Melancia said that he had discussed the future of Macau television with the PA during his

visit to Macau. He was very keen to maintain

a Portugese channel after 1999. This would be important to maintain the confidence of Portugese residents. A Cantonese channel would be necessary to provide income for this. Discussions had been held with a number of overseas organisations. Mr. Maxwell seemed to be interested in the project because of his involvement in Portugese television. TDM wanted to increase their transmission power but he was fully prepared to study the implications of this with the Hong Kong Government. It was also important to keep in contact with the Chinese authorities.

The Governor said that the HKG was only concerned if the transmission was

designed to reach Hong Kong. We had different censorship standards from Macau and were proposing to ban tobacco advertising.

Mr.

We managed to cover all of Hong Kong with only 10 kw. We would be concerned if Macau intentionally transmitted to Hong Kong. Melancia said that tobacco advertising would be permitted after 1997 as smoking was a widespread habit in China. However he accepted the need to discuss the matter with the HKG.

CONFIDENTIAL