TNAG-2247-FCO40-3230-Business-interests-in-Hong-Kong-Cable-&-Wireless-1991 — Page 169

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG

TO IMMEDIATE FCOLN

TELNO 2902

OF 17110OZ SEPTEMBER 91

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HONG KONG'S TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND BROADCASTING POLICIES: YOUR TELNO 1613.

1.

YOU WILL APPRECIATE THE DELICACY OF THE SITUATION. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT HONG KONG'S AUTONOMY OVER TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY AND FRANCHISES IN GENERAL IS PRESERVED BEFORE AND AFTER 1997. LORD YOUNG HAS ALREADY SOUGHT AND BEEN GIVEN ASSURANCES THAT HKG DOES NOT INTEND UNILATERALLY TO TERMINATE THE FRANCHISES IN QUESTION IN ADVANCE OF THEIR EXPIRY DATES. IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF, IN HIS REPLY, THE SECRETARY OF STATE WERE TO DISPEL ANY MISUNDERSTANDING THAT LORD YOUNG MAY HAVE ON HMG'S LOCUS IN THIS

MATTER.

2.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION IT IS NOT CORRECT TO IMPLY, AS LORD YOUNG'S LETTER DOES, THAT US COMPANIES HAVE BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT

OF THE PUBLIC DEBATE ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG'S TELECOMS SERVICES. THE PRIME MOVERS HAVE IN FACT BEEN HONG KONG COMPANIES SUCH AS HUTCHISON AND WHARF.

3=

THE NOTE REQUESTED IN YOUR TUR FOLLOWS IN MIFT.

WILSON

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PAGE CONFIDENTIAL