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As to the attitude of the Chinese Peoples' Republic, he said that Mr. Li had excellent contacts in Beijing. He travelled there regularly, and kept his contacts there closely informed about his plans (he had told Sir David that he did not ask them for their views; he simply told them what he was doing).
He thought Mr. Li was inclined to take rather a gloomy view of what might happen in Hong Kong after 1997, but he did not believe that need effect the venture with the BBC. Li's empire was now a completely multi-national one.
Mr.
Sir David said that he hoped that if future BBC representatives wanted information or support from him or his office, they should not hesitate to seek it. He and his colleagues knew a great deal about the Hutchvision empire and would be only too willing to help as necessary.
In conversation with Sir David and others I met, two points emerged which are worth passing on to you:
(a) there were some worries about the programme content
of the new Service, namely Wogan, Blue Peter and the repeat of Newsnight. Quite a few people wondered in particular why Wogan was included and how far he was exportable.
I said I felt sure that the programme content would be under constant review and would be adapted and improved as time went on:
(b) when Stephen Phelps leaves, it will be a good idea to
replace him with someome who can represent the BBC's interest in Hutchvision in Hong Kong and has a certain amount of clout. This would be especially necessary in the early months of the venture.
Stephen Phelps looked after us wonderfully well and has got to grips in a very short time. Both John and I admired his knowledge and enterprise, and his enthusiasm for the project is impressive. We owe him much gratitude for having made our trip so successful and enjoyable.
Thank you and Hugh also for briefing us so well before our departure and for the opportunity of representing the BBC on such an historic occasion.
Lord Nicholas Gordon Lennox
Chris Irwin Esq.,
BBC World Service Television
Woodlands
80 Wood Lane
London W12 OTT
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