TNAG-2763-FCO40-3980-Hong-Kong-licensing-framework-for-satellite-television-broad-1993 — Page 63

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BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION

X TRANSMISSION

RESTRICTED

F.01

Our Reference:

3 August 1993

A D Harris, Esq

Information Department

FCO

Fax no.

Fage 1 of Z

Dear Tony,

BBC WORLD SERVICE TELEVISION

British

Trade Commission

Hong Kong

9th Floor, Bank of America Tower, 12 Harcourt Road, Hong Kong

Mail Address: GPO Box No 528, Hong Kong

Telephone: 523 0176

Telex: HX 73081 (a/b 73031 UKTRA HX) Facsimile: (852) 845 2870

Cable Address: UK TRADE, Hong Kong

1. I attach with this letter a minute by Chris Osborne (Senior

I Information Officer in BTC) which you will wish to see. should be grateful if you could also ensure that HKD, FED and the AUSS on the Asia and Middle East sides of the office see it. WSTV s present footprint extends, as you know, across the whole of Asia into the Middle East. WsTv has been, in information terms, an outstanding success in the region, at least

partly displacing CNN' ■ original hold on the 24 hours news niche.

2.

It would therefore be a very considerable setback for the overall projection of a UK view of the world if News Corporation were indeed to squeeze out the BBC from Star TV's operations.

3. I am advised by Chris Osborne that the BBC have been very touchy in the past about reporting from here on their activities. I have therefore deliberately avoided a telegram so that this information does not get too wide a dissemination.

If you pick up At this stage it is only an early-warning shot. any similar hints of problems ahead you will no doubt let us know. We will keep our ears open and report further as посеябаку.

4. I am not copying this to regional posts (though the WSTV

There would be time enough for them service is widely valued).

to be alerted if the situation merits it later.

Yours ever

Hugh

H L1 Davies

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Every effort is made to enrure that the information gives herein. ti scoffin, but no legal responsibility is accepted for any errors, omissions or misleading glátómeɛts in that information asused by pegligenes at otherwise noć da puponsibility in scœpted in regard to the standing of any Brms, companies or