HKK 349/1
DIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
GR 160
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG 140452Z NOV 81
TO PRIORITY F C O
CONFIDENTIAL
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
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TELEGRAM NUMBER 1825 OF 14 NOVEMBERTOP COPY
INFO PRIORITY PEKING
CHINESE VISA OFFICE IN HONG KONG
PA
cał
ZHAO ZHENKUI AND HIS STAFF ARRIVED IN HONG KONG LAST MONTH.
THEY ARE PLANNING TO OPEN FOR BUSINESS ON 25 NOVEMBER,
2. TODAY'S HONG KONG STANDARD CARRIES A SUBSTANTIALLY ACCURATE
REPORT ABOUT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE. PA RAISED THE MATTER WITH NCNA TODAY. IT WAS CLEAR THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE LEAK.
3. WE ARE TAKING THE FOLLOWING LINE IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES::
(A) IT IS TRUE THAT A VISA OFFICE OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA WILL OPEN SHORTLY.
(B) WE WELCOME THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS OFFICE WHICH WILL MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR THE GREATLY INCREASED NUMBERS OF TRAVELLERS
FROM HONG KONG TO CHINA.
(IF ASKED)
(C) THE VISA OFFICE'S FUNCTION IS LIMITED TO THE ISSUING OF VISAS.
(D) IT IS NOT A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF
CHINA. NOR IS IT A CONSULATE.
(E) THERE IS NO CHANGE IN THE ARRANGEMENT WHEREBY LOCAL LIAISON WITH
THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES IS MAINTAINED THROUGH THE POLITICAL ADVISER/NCNA CHANNEL.
THIS TELEGRAM
MACLEHOSE
LIMITED HK&GD
FED NEWS D
WAS NOT ADVANCED
PS FS/LPS
COFIES TO:-
PS/PUS
HONG KONG GOVT. OFFICE LONDON
MR DONALD
CONFIDENTIAL
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