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Multi-Fibre Arrangement (See Brief No 7 for detailed background)
HMG concerned to ensure fair treatment of Hong Kong
4.
because of constitutional link and open market policy.
Commission mandate negotiated compromise between attitudes
of member states.
5.
EC textile industry in very difficult position.
Essential that solution be found which represents a fair
balance between difficulties of EC industry and need of
supplier countries.
6.
[If pressed on UK position] UK textile industry facing
severe difficulties. Since beginning of 1980 output down
25% and over 170,000 jobs lost. Have to take this into
account.
Vietnamese Refugees in Hong Kong
7.
Admire Hong Kong's role and appreciate difficulties
caused by continuing inflow. We have already done a good
deal and continue to take ship rescue and family reunion cases.
Will continue to encourage other resettlement countries and
UNHCR in their efforts. But there are real difficulties in UK
and cannot hold out much hope of new quota.
Hong Kong and the Falklands
8.
Grateful for Hong Kong's support. Grateful also for
Hong Kong's very generous donation to South Atlantic Fund.
- 7.
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/Will
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Will of course be used to help families of Hong Kong seamen
as well as those of UK personnel.
9.
[If comparisons are drawn between Hong Kong's situation
and that of the Falklands] No real comparison between the
Relations with China excellent.
two situations.
- 8
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/BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
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The Future of Hong Kong
1.
See Brief No B2 for China Visit.
Nationality Act 1981
2.
Hong Kong never liked proposals for separate citizenship
categories. Would have much preferred no change from unitary
citizenship of UK and Colonies. Some changes to suit Hong
Kong were agreed, eg additional category of British Dependent
Territories' Citizen (BDTCs); entitlement to registration of
BDTC as British Citizen after 5 years' residence in UK.
3.
Hong Kong saw proposals as attempt to distance Hong
Kong from UK. Home Office saw Hong Kong's proposals as
attempt to frustrate aim of separate citizenship for those
closely connected with the UK itself.
4.
In last stages of Bill in Lords, Hong Kong particularly
anxious to have statement in Act that BDTCs were British
Nationals. HMG opposed because primary purpose of Act (to
clarify situation by bringing citizenship categories into
line with immigration status and rights of abode) would have
been undermined. Gibraltar amendment and Ministerial assurances
that discretionary treatment would be given to those Falklanders
who do not have the right of abode in UK have added to ill-feeling.
/5.
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