TNAG-1894-FCO40-2688-Visit-by-Francis-Maude--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1989 — Page 70

TOCAAO (19)

CONFIDENTIAL

I.

INFORMATION WORK IN HONG KONG

55. Why the need for FCO spokesman in Hong Kong

―

Hong Kong is one of British Government's major preoccupations and

will remain so in run-up to 1997. Natural that we should want British Government's view to be given maximum exposure in Hong Kong.

56. Is Mr Osborn's appointment an indication of sharp differences

between British and Hong Kong Governments

This appointment is in no way a criticism of Hong Kong

Government or an indication of differences of view.

On the contrary, it is to ensure that liaison on the media front

is particularly close on current issues in Hong Kong.

CONFIDENTIAL

Hong Kong Department

14 September 1989