TNAG-2768-FCO40-3985-Hong-Kong-and-the-media-interviews--press-briefings-and-the--1993 — Page 9

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CONFIDENTIAL

of changing Chinese minds.

We consider that the priority should

be to avoid complicating the BBC's Thailand option: and a public

row with the Chinese over broadcasting to China could put at

risk the BBC's negotiations with Thailand for their new

transmitter there. We would not want to provoke the Chinese into putting pressure on the Thais.

5.

The Embassy in Peking have proposed a rather combative response to the Chinese. For the above reasons, neither we nor the BBC think this is the right approach. The attached telegram proposes a lower-key approach, which we understand matches Hong Kong's views. We can allay any public fears that Hong Kong may be deprived of access to the BBC World Service by pointing out that this is transmitted to Hong Kong on shortwave from

Singapore. The BBC transmitter in Hong Kong serves Northern

China.

G

6. We have agreed with Information Department the following

low-key contingency line-to-take, should the news about the Hong

Kong transmitter become public:

- It is not unexpected that the Chinese authorities should refuse to agree to any foreign transmission stations operating in Hong Kong after June 1997.

Important that the BBC World Service should maintain its ability to broadcast effectively to all countries in the region. This does not depend solely on the Hong Kong station. Confident

that by 1997 satisfactory arrangements can be made to provide

the necessary coverage.

K. Saunders

bbc.PR.JRB

KAM Saunders

Pricha

CONFIDENTIAL