TNAG-2032-FCO40-2895-Visit-by-Douglas-Hurd--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1990 — Page 168

SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO HONG KONG, 13-16 JANUARY 1990

MRS HURD'S CALL ON THE BRITISH COUNCIL

British Council's Work in Hong Kong

1.

The aim of the British Council's work in Hong Kong is to promote

Britain as a vital and enterprising society and to reverse the erosion of historical links in the lead up to the handover to China

in 1997. The target groups are leading figures in the

administration, professions, politics and the arts; academics; and the English teaching profession.

2. The Council's principal objectives in pursuit of its aim are

increase:

British influence on the teaching of English in Hong Kong, through advisory and consultative work.

exchanges between British and Hong Kong tertiary level

institutions.

3.

the number of students from Hong Kong studying in the UK.

the British content of arts programmes in Hong Kong.

It

The British Council was established in Hong Kong in 1948. operates from its main office on Hong Kong Island and from its evening language school in Kowloon, with 3 London-appointed staff,

63 local office staff, and 95 contract teaching staff. Its total

budget for 1989/90 is £5.3m of which £2.9m is earned from English

teaching and the sale of services.

Key Activities

English Language Tuition

4. The support of English Language teaching forms the backbone of the Council's operations in Hong Kong. The Council's teaching

institute, with over 30,000 students a year, is the largest in its

worldwide network. Courses cover a range from beginners to

PJMARE (2)