TNAG-2769-FCO40-3986-Hong-Kong-and-the-media-interviews--press-briefings-and-the--1994 — Page 16

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MINUTE BY BRISTOW-SMITH (FED) OF 23 NOVEMBER TO LARNER (NEWS DEPARTMENT): BBC TIMEWATCH DOCUMENTARY: FURTHER CHINESE PROTEST

SUMMARY

1.

Further Chinese protest about the BBC Timewatch documentary on Mao due to be screened on 20 December. Similar warnings about "serious consequences", this time aimed at the "British side" not just the BBC. BBC correspondent here summoned to receive the same message. Possibility of his expulsion. Recommendation that Ambassador Ma be taken over the ground.

DETAIL

2..

Song Zengshou (a Deputy Director of Information Department, MFA, whom we had not previously met) summoned me at short notice today 7 December. He had originally tried to make this summons at Counsellor level but insisted on seeing me in Cox's absence (attending the JLG meeting in London).

3. Song said that he wished to speak about BBC plans to broadcast a documentary called "Chairman Mao - The Untold Story". The Chinese side had found that this programme contained vicious slanders against Mao. They had therefore instructed their Embassy in London to contact the FCO on 23 November and the BBC on 25 November. At that time they had asked the "British side" to exert their influence and intervene to dissuade the BBC from broadcasting this programme. They had also made a strong demand that the BBC should refrain from broadcasting this programme, bearing in mind their cooperation with China.

4. Song continued that regrettably the British authorities had failed to take the necessary action. Neither had the BBC paid heed to the Chinese demand. On 2 December the BBC had released excerpts of that programme and, as could be seen from them, the author of the programme launched slanders against Mao in an indecent manner sic. This showed that the British authorities had not paid adequate attention to this matter. It also revealed the degradation of the journalistic morals of the BBC and of the author of the programme. The late Chairman Mao was a great leader of the Chinese people and enjoyed high prestige in China. The release of these excerpts in the run up to the commemoration of his centenary

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