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MOREOVER, THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE ARGUMENT THAT BROADCASTING IN MANDARIN WITHOUT CANTONESE WOULD SEND THE WRONG POLITICAL SIGNAL TO CHINA AND OTHERS IN THE REGION.
5. THE DEAL WITH HUTCHISON WILL ENABLE BBC TV NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS PROGRAMMES TO BE BROADCAST THROUGHOUT ASIA, WHICH IS A MAJOR INFORMATION POLICY INTEREST FOR US. OUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE PROJECT AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH WE CAN FACILITATE IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR THE FCO'S (AND HMG'S) RELATIONS WITH THE BBC. MINISTERS ENCOURAGED THE BBC TO TAKE A COMMERCIAL ROUTE TO INTERNATIONAL TV BROADCASTING AND PUBLICLY AND PRIVATELY WISHED WSTV EVERY SUCCESS WHEN IT WAS LAUNCHED AS A COMMERCIAL VENTURE. WE HOPE THEREFORE THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE THESE WIDER ASPECTS INTO ACCOUNT AND TO GIVE THEM ALL DUE WEIGHT WHEN REVIEWING BROADCASTING POLICY.
6. WE REALISE THAT WHEN YOU SEE IRWIN YOU WILL WISH TO
MAKE IT CLEAR TO HIM THAT BROADCASTING RESTRICTIONS ARE A MATTER FOR LOCAL DECISION AND MUST AWAIT THE OUTCOME OF THE REVIEW. BUT WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL FEEL ABLE AT LEAST TO HOLD OUT A REASONABLE PROSPECT OF A CHANGE OF POLICY IN DUE COURSE.
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