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16. Unofficial Members are concerned that in the event of Portugal joining the EEC, residents of Macau, as residents of an overseas province of Portugal, might enjoy more favourable rights of entry to EEC countries, including the UK, than Hong Kong residents. This would cause serious resentment locally. We would suggest that UK Government should persuade EEC countries not to treat Hong Kong residents any less favourably than Macau residents insofar as entry rights are concerned.
Mechanics
17. Finally, we should be grateful for your advice on the mechanics of changing to new passports (eg. would it be at expiry of existing passports?) and the responsibility of costs for such a change, particularly if you expected territories to introduce new passports at once.
Your
Park Catan
(Jack Cater) Chief Secretary
CONFIDENTIAL