MEMORANDUM
ANNEX A
I. The Chinese and British representatives held
talks in London and Beijing from 1980 to 1981 on matters
relating to the proposed Visa Office of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in
Hongkong and reached the following understanding.
1
In order to meet the growing need for
economic, trade, tourist, cultural and other
exchanges, the Chinese side and the British
authorities in Hongkong orally agreed on 9
August 1979 that the Chinese side was to set up
in Hongkong a Visa Office of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of
China.
2. To ensure the smooth functioning of the said Visa Office in Hongkong, it will enjoy the
following privileges:
a. exemption from taxes on its revenue (e.g. Visa fees);
b. the right to use cypher;
c. exemption from taxes on salaries or emoluments
of its China-based officials and staff members;
d. courier service to be exempt from search;
e.
the premises, documents and archives to be
exempt from search;
f. the China-based officials and their dependents
not to be liable to arrest or detention.
II. The above arrangements for the proposed Visa Office in Hongkong are based on the following understandings:
1. It will be known as the Hongkong Vida Office