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CONFIDENTIAL
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14.
Plas 48
MR RIDLEY'S MEETING WITH SIR S Y CHUNG ON 28 JULY 1981
Present:
Mr Nicholas Ridley MP Mr R D Clift
Sir S Y Chung
NATIONALITY BILL
1. Sir S Y Chung said that this was worrying. The short-term problem was that of restrictions on Hong Kong people travelling abroad on business. Mr Ridley said that he quite understood this and that he would ensure that everything possible was done to help Hong Kong.
2. Sir S Y Chung said that the long-term problem concerned 1997. People in Hong Kong were not asking for an unlimited right to come to the UK. But they were looking for an assurance that people who would not be accepted by China would be properly looked after.
3. Mr Ridley said that he thought that in the present political situation the problem was unlikely to arise. Sir S Y Chung referred to the uncertain position of the present leadership in China.
4. Mr Ridley asked where, if the worst happened, Hong Kong people would wish to go. Sir S Y Chung said that only a small percentage would want to come to the UK. Others would go to the US, Australia or Europe. What was really needed, however, was a recognition by the UK of its residual responsibilities. He referred to the recent Chinese nationality law which did not recognise dual citizenship. Hong Kong wanted to be reassured that they were definitely 'British' Ministers had been prepared to make this clear orally but not to put it on paper, for instance in the Nationality Bill.
5. Mr Ridley said that he quite understood this and realised the need for reassurance. He would study both the short and long-term questions carefully.
DISTRIBUTION:
✓ HKGD (to enter)
PS/Mr Ridley
Sir E Youde
Mr Adams
Mr Donald (o/r)
Mr Jones, NTD
Acting Governor, Hong Kong (Personal)
CONFIDENTIAL