TNAG-1989-FCO40-2822-Hong-Kong-Telecommunications-(Amendment)-Ordinance-1989-(No.-1989 — Page 89

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Mr Store Mr Paul

Pau

PA.

BBC WORLD SERVICE: REVIEW OF FAR EASTERN SERVICES

(18)

1.

I attended today's meeting in Information Department to review the BBC Far Eastern Service. The only points of direct interest to

us were:

(a) The BBC asked to be kept informed of any feedback we may have on Chinese attitudes to the relay station in Hong Kong. They are not asking us actively to seek such feedback, but are beginning to think ahead to 1997. If the relay station has to move from Hong Kong they would naturally want as much warning as possible. They are considering a station in Thailand as a fallback.

(b) The BBC and Information Department suggested that we might in due course like to consider what further role the Cantonese and Madarin vernacular services might play in promoting our information effort in the lead up to 1997. I pointed out that RTHK already

There will broadcasts some such programmes on its own channels. also be a 24 hour relay of English language BBC programmes on RTHK from late 1989. I suggest that we should ask BTC Hong Kong to consider this. On the face of it the case is not strong as Hong Kong has access to a great deal of information from the UK through other channels. Expansion of the existing RTHK rebroadcasting of Chinese programmes would probably be more efficient than expanding our own, very limited, transmission times.

2 August 1989

R. Footman

R C L Footman

Hong Kong Department

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