TNAG-2791-FCO40-4030-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-China.-With-maps-1993 — Page 5

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MDLIAN 0525

with the local branch of the NCNA are getting closer.

5. None of this is surprising but it is interesting to see the Propaganda Department at work. They have worked hard and they have made considerable progress. Nonetheless, some newspapers have retained their editorial integrity. The Economic journal has remained doggedly independent, as has Ming Pao (although the implications of the Xi Yang case are a cause for concern). The Oriental Press Group has so far resisted the Propaganda Department's approaches and has maintained its populist and largely apolitical stance. There are signs of an independent spirit in one or two of the other Chinese Language newspapers and the South China Morning Post is making an effort to retain its creditability in the face of the threat from the new English language daily to be Launched by the Oriental Press Group in January. But there is a feeling of unease amongst journalists. A sense that it might be time for the independent press to circle the wagons.

PATTEN

YYYY

ΜΑΙΝ

114

DISTRIBUTION

126

.CHINA POLITICAL

FED

LEGAL ADVISERS

PUSD.

INFO D//BRIEFWRITERS

CONSULAR D

CRD

EASD/ODA//MR MOSSELMANS

EASD/ODA//MR MCCLEAN

ECD (E)

ECONOMIC ADVISERS

CFSP UNIT

SEAD

PS

PS/BARONESS CHALKER

PS/MR GOODLAD

PS/PUS

MR LANKESTER MR APPLEYARD CHIEF CLERK SIR J COLES MR AINSCOW

MR ALSTON

SIR M BURTON

ERD

HKD

HRPD

JOINT DIRECTORATE

NEWS D

NTCD P

Гапин

RAD

MR HUM

PAGE

MR BONE

MR KERBY

MR MASEFIELD

MR MUIR

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