SECRET
-3-
China
5.
The Lord Privy Seal will have an opportunity during his short
initial stopover to discuss with the Governor the handling of Hong
Kong matters when Mr Atkins talks with Chinese leaders:
a) Future of Hong Kong: the maintenance of confidence against
the background of the approach of 1997. The Prime Minister's
planned visit will have to be taken into account (Brief No 10).
b) Hong Kong/China Issues: There are also a number of points
the Chinese may raise and for which defensive briefs are
provided (Brief No 11):
i) Official Chinese Representative in Hong Kong. This might
be raised by the Chinese either in the context of the future
or separately (Brief No 11);
ii) Chinese Visa Office in Hong Kong: The Chinese have sought
our agreement that this recently established office be
allowed to issue passports. We have said that this can only
be done in emergencies. They may ask for more (Brief No 11);
iii) Illegal and Legal Immigration: The former is hardly an
issue since the stricter repatriation policy has been
successful.
However, the number of legal visitors from
China remains high at about 150 a day. Proposals have been
put to the Chinese for reducing the number of those who
stay permanently in Hong Kong. There is also the problem
of illegal immigration of minors and pregnant women
(Brief No 11);
iv) Visas for Chinese Passport Holders Transitting Hong Kong:
The Chinese authorities have long been dissatisfied with
arrangements for visas for their passport holders transitting
SECRET
/Hong