CONFIDENTIAL
Imposition of EC visa regime on Hong Kong
16. Schengen Group posts (the 12 EC countries minus the UK, Ireland and Denmark) were instructed on 4 August to lobby for
Hong Kong to be excluded from the Schengen Common Visa List or,
failing that, to ask the 5 countries which now allow visa free
access (Spain, Benelux, Greece) to delay implementation of visa regimes for as long as possible. On 9 August, news of Spain's intention to impose a visa regime from October broke in Hong
Kong. HKG then made representation to Schengen Consuls General
along the lines of our lobbying exercise.
17. We are also looking at how to protect Hong Kong when the EC Common Visa List is introduced (under Maastricht qualified
majority voting) in 1996. We shall submit in due course.
Takeover of Star TV by News Corp.
TV.
18. In late July, Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation acquired control of 48% of Hutchvision Hong Kong Ltd, which operates Star
(News Corp withdrew their bid for TVB after legal
difficulties). News Corp has no love for BBC World Service TV
News (WSTV), which has a 10 year contract with Star. It would
be a blow to our interests if WSTV were pushed off Star by News Corp's Sky News. We understand that, as insurance, WSTV are quietly exploring other satellite options in the region.
Governor's travel
19.
The Governor will be on holiday until 30 August.
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CONFIDENTIAL
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