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Line to Take
wung
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fought for and gained concessions and had obtained the important reassurances. House of Lords endorsement of British citizenship for Gibraltarians was fully reported in English Press and in Sing Tao, Ming Pao and Kung Sheung on July 24. Other papers gave moderate coverage. Sir Y.K. Kan, HK Belongers Association, Heung Yee Kuk Chairman all criticised the discrimination against HK.
Sir Y.K. and Dr. Denny Huang said it was racist. Sir S.Y. Chung on return from London on August 7 stated publicly Gibraltar is different (EEC Treaty of Rome) and it is a territorial, not a racial difference between HK's position and Gibraltar's position. In a press,,statement on Aug. 24, Reform Club
Same
UK Ministers have stated categorically that Bill is not aimed at HK. Assurances given that UKG will maintain its traditional links with and responsibility towards HK. Bill not relevant to 1997. Among the reassurances given were HK CBDTs will continue to travel on passports described as "British Passport Hong Kong" on the cover, with the citizenship title inside; CBDTs will still be regarded as UK nationals for purposes of consular protection and HMG will ensure that third countries are aware of the meaning of the new categories of citizenship. Strong representations by HKG, made since publication of the Green Paper in 1977 through all available channels, including UMELCO visit to London, visit by Messrs. Whitney and Lyons and H.E.'s trip. One important issue remains HKG wants the 'Britishness' of CBDTs to be made more explicit (e.g. by an amendment to the Bill or by including the word 'British' under the 'National status' column in CBDT passports). It has reiterated its concern following the passage of the 'Gibraltar Clause' and will strongly press the point through all availablę channels. The "Gibraltar Clause" will still have to pass the Bill's third reading in the House of Lords and be referred back to the House of Commons for approval.
NT LEASE
Position
: Arising from Lord Carrington's visit to China via HK, the press
carried a large number of promising forecasts of the future of HK, the majority saying that some solution would be found, even if this meant ignoring the lease. There were also discussion programmes on radio and TV and public comments by prominent businessmen. On the latest assurance of HK's future by Deng Xiao Ping, some said residents should not be worried about 1997, while others said Deng's comments were nothing new and insufficient to assure long-term investments. There were also strong pleas for the position to be clarified now. The Far Eastern Economic Review reported that China intends to clarify its stand on HK's future by 1983 for fear that a Labour government will take over at the next General Elections. Newsweek said Deng is considering giving HK investors a written guarantee. "Cheng Meng", a left-wing daily launched in mid-June (now defunct) did a four-part opinion survey
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