TNAG-2768-FCO40-3985-Hong-Kong-and-the-media-interviews--press-briefings-and-the--1993 — Page 13

37-ANG-1993 11:43

INFO DEPT. FCO

CODE 18-77

071 210 6270

P.02

Reference.

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pa. Medie (153

Separate copies to:

Miss Saunders

30111

REC

HKD

Miss Stickland

SEAD

Mr Glynn

News Dept

BBC RELAY STATION IN HONG KONG

1.

Following is my suggestion for the line to take in public comment if there is an early leak of the news (in UKRep JLG Hong Kong telno 267) that the Chinese have now said formally that they will not allow the BBC World Service relay station in Hong Kong to continue operating after the handover:

-

2.

Not unexpected that the Chinese Authorities would refuse to agree to any foreign transmission stations operating in Hong Kong after June 1997. (Add something like:- the decision on this lies with them, or :- no basis for us to insist that they do agree - HKD to advise)

Important that BBC World Service should be able to broadcast effectively to China. This does not depend solely on the Hong Kong station. We are also confident that by 1997 satisfactory substitutes be developed for the coverage now provided by Hong Kong.

(If asked specificially about Thailand station) -Can confirm that renewed new relay station in

Thailand (target completion date 1996), which is part of continuing global audibility improvement programme, will have capability to serve China among many countries. Sountries.

CE

other

Can

planned

+ other arrangements in other counties)

Practical arrangements for closing down the Hong Kong station and handing over the site for discussion with the Chinese in due course.

We should aim to get a final version agreed for News Department by close of play today.

3.

I have not of course consulted the BBC, whom we have not yet notified of developments (we hope to do so, with Hong Kong's agreement, early next week).

RH G Davies

Information Department

G/110 OAB 210 6119

27 August 1993

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