2
2. It will not be a representative office of the People's
Republic of China and its functions will be restricted
to the issue of Visas.
III. The Chinese side has taken note of the explanations made in paragraphs 2,3 and 4 of the Memorandum of the British
Embassy in China. In the course of the talks with the British
side, the Chinese side also has clarified the following points:
1. The Visa Office is an office of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the People's Republic of China. The British
authorities in Hongkong shall have the responsibility to
take all appropriate measures to protect the premises of
the Office from any encroachment or damage and guarantee
the personal safety of its officials and their dependents.
2. The Chinese side holds that in case of a criminal or
civil complanint against officials of the Visa Office
and their dependents, the British authorities in Hongkong
should settle the issue through diplomatic channels.
3. The premises of the said Office and the residence of
its Director purchased by the Office are properties
belonging to the People's Republic of China and shall
be exempt from taxes. Likewise, according to usual
practice, articles for official use imported into or
taken out of longkong or bought locally in longkong
by the said Office shall be exempt from duties and taxes.
After the Office is set up, the Chinese side shall
continue talks with the British side on the above-mentioned
matters so as to have them settled properly.