CONFIDENTIAL
20A
Record of sofs's talk
with Cuese Foreign Minister on 2.4.57
1.4
Original at: HKC ozdz
This Copy for:
Information only/Action on Para(s)
HICIC 349|1
зна
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
1 8 MAY 1981
DESK OFFICER
REPRE
the present system of granting a 48 hour vis did not give
Action Taken
citizens time to complete their personal affairs in Hong Kong and contrasted with the treatment given to other Chinese descent who held passports of other countries who could
stay in Hong Kong for 7 days. Lord Carrington commented that
the problem probably derived from the fear of illegal
immigration.
Huang Hua replied that as with illegal immigration
we would solve this problem through cooperation. Lord Carrington
said that he was grateful for what the Chinese had done on the question of illegal immigration.
Chinese Visa Office Hong Kong
See
54
23.
Song Zhiguang outlined the background to the agreement on the setting up of a Chinese visa office in Hong Kong. The
office would be an agency of the Consular Department of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its only job would be to handle
visas. It would have no other responsibilities.
As it was
an agency of the Foreign Ministry it should enjoy the treatment
of an official agency with diplomatic immunity and other
privileges. But Hong Kong had refused to grant diplomatic
privileges to the Visa Office or exemption of taxes, exemption from examination and infringement. Song Zhiguang added that
agreement had been reached a year ago and the following
problems needed to be solved before the office could begin functioning:
(i) the Visa Office and officials should be protected by
the Hong Kong authorities from any infringement; (ii) properties and goods for official use should be exempt
from tax.
Song said that agreement had been reached on other aspects of the problem.
24. Sir Edward Youde confirmed that during discussions on the
establishment of a Visa Office agreement had been reached on
a number of issues. But the problem was that the Governor of
Hong Kong had power to do certain things, but others he could not do without legislation. The arrangements made so far were
CONFIDENTIAL
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