CONFIDENTIAL
3
機密
He felt that Hong Kong could however survive provided it produced:-
8.
(a) better Government;
(b)
(c)
better living conditions; and
a civic minded population.
On the question by Mr. Howard Young, Mr. Clift said that he would provide him with a text of what was released on the conversations between Mr. Deng Xiaoping and Lord Carrington at their recent meeting.
9.
Mr. Forsgate pointed out that with regard to the British Government's confidence in Hong Kong, the recent underwriting of the loan to China Light & Power by the Export Credit Guarantee Department for a twenty-year repayment period would seem to be an indication of the British Government's faith in the long-term future of Hong Kong. Mr. Clift agreed.
British Nationality Act
10.
Dr. Denny Huang said that he was concerned very much about the British Nationality Act which affected Hong Kong in particular as in Category 2 of the Act, i.e. citizens of British dependent territories. Of the three million people involved, 2.6 million were Hong Kong people. He had been unable to obtain a draft copy of the Bill in Hong Kong and he thought that this should be widely distributed.
11.
Currently, Commonwealth countries did not require visas from holders of Hong Kong passports, neither did EEC countries, with the exception of Germany. Whilst it was theoretically possible to enter Britain on a Hong Kong issued passport currently, one was always advised to obtain a visa. to enter Britain. With the new categories as contained in the new Act, he considered that the British Government would make this mandatory and this would be followed by other Commonwealth countries and also the EEC.
12.
Mr. Clift said that he had told Members at previous meetings the British Nationality Act was not aimed at Hong Kong. It was intended to bring citizenship status into line with the present position on immigration. He was sure that Members could be provided with copies of the Bill. He hoped they would make their requirements known, e.g. through GIS.
4./
CONFIDENTIAL #
...