TNAG-2278-FCO40-3278-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Radio-Television-Hong-Kong-Board-of-Gove-1991 — Page 184

CONFIDENTIAL AND PERSONAL

It was recognised that the three options WEIC:

(a)

(b)

to proceed without informing the Chinese in any way:

to inform the Chinese of what we proposed to do, but to proceed anyway;

(c) to go for full consultation.

the

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All concerned recognised that if we went for (b) the Chinese would instantly demand (c). They also recognised that at delicate stage in our discussions with the nese or of consultation it would have a disproportionate effect were to embark on a major structural change of this kind attempt at consultation. Most concerned acepted that it unreasonable that the Chinese should be consulted about a ma of this importance. On the other hand it was recognised tha we did consult the Chinese there was

ond chance than they would not like the proposal, and would want things left

are now.

+

as they

4. After a good deal of discussion, the general conclusion that it made no sense to try to deal with the matter in any other than by option (c). The corporatisation of or non- corporatisation of RTHK was by no means a life and death ma t for the Hong Kong Government. The main risk of an unsuccess consultation would be the magnification of the lame duck image On the other hand a failure to do anything because we frightened of consultation would lead to an Aven jamer du best thing therefore would be to work up a proposition to the Chinese getting out the advantages, particularly in managerial and financial terms of the corporatisation It would not be realistic to leave not of the picture the editorial control arquments: probably the best with ther would be to take the view that this aspen. little importance to MKG, because even they had no effective editorial contrc! Chinese we would stress the intention should be appointed by Government afte.

5. Recreation and Culture Brand sensible and pragmatic approach to a policy paper, on which we shel I think the worlusions of the mes but I think it is also possible that higher level

kaykisk and thought may be introduced.

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I hd why we have thir kind only

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