Cypher/Cat A
CONFIDENTIAL
HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (DTD)
Telno 1441
CONFIDENTIAL
26 September, 1967
TOP CUM
A
510
RECEIVED IN
510.63
27 Pivo
HWs 1/17
Foreign Office telegram No. 821 to Peking; H.K. Transit Visas.
But
We too would not favour a complete freeze on transit visas through Hong Kong at the moment. we would see little objection to imposing indefinite administrative delays on particular parties sponsored by the C.P.G., (e.g. those travelling to Japan) if this were eventually thought necessary.
2.
However, the procedure proposed in the first sentence of paragraph 2 of your telegram under reference would also be perfectly convenient to us, subject to one reservation. It is not our practice to grant entry visas to C.P.G. visitors in transit to Japan until the Japanese themselves have authorised entry visas, The applications in IMMA 101 (which reached us only on 15 September) are still being processed and there is as yet no sign of Japanese authorisations. We shall inform you as soon as these are received and shall then await your instructions. In general, we would not recommend any liberalisation in our visa procedure over C.P.G. cases of this sort.
3.
If the line is to be taken that delays have been due to administrative problems concerning the Mission in Peking, it might be wise to ensure as far as possible that a significant part of any delay occurs within the office at Peking. The Chinese will know when telegrams are sent by the office to us since they go by commercial channels.
4.
Please repeat to Peking as necessary.
Sir D. Trench
Sent 0939Z 26 September, 1967 Read 0945Z 26 September, 1967
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
C.O. Hong Kong Dept
F.0.
F.E.D.
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N. & T.D.
P.C.D.
Consular Dept
J.I.R.D.
J.I.P.G.D.
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CONFIDENTIAL
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