(Note: A number of applications for exit visas
for members of our Mission in Peking have been
outstanding for some time, as well as recent
application in respect of an exit visa for
Sir Donald Hopson himself.
At an interview on
3 July between Sir Donald and the Deputy
Director of the Consular Department in Peking,
the latter stressed that these visa applications
were "under consideration" and mentioned that
Sir Donald's own application was being "handled"
and that he would be informed when there was any
news).
11.
Sir Donald in fact makes it clear that he
is principally concerned with the wider
implications of deregistering the school in
the context of Sino-British relations.
Regarding the impact locally in Hong Kong of a
decision not to deregister, he says that he'
finds "it hard to believe that the Hong Kong
public as a whole would wish to have a further
battle with local communists or China or that
they would react badly to measures which suggest
a return to normality".
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