CODE 18-77
xx
Mr W Morris HKD
SECRET UK EYES A
Reference
(165)
Ley 166
MKK040 15
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
17 JUN 1983
RESTRY PA Actio, T
DESK OFFICER INDEX
CANADIAN ENQUIRY ABOUT HONG KONG
1. I mentioned to you on the telephone that Peter Anderson of the Canadian High Commission had asked to call on me to seek my views on Chinese intentions over Hong Kong. As agreed with you I based my comments to him on public Chinese statements and referred him to your previous conversations (and those of Mr Thomson) with his colleague John Schram.
2. In reply to a question from me whether there was any particular reason for his enquiry, Anderson said that there was concern on the part of the Canadian Government over a recent increase in applications by Hong Kong Chinese for Canadian visas, as well as over evidence that a significant number of Hong Kong residents who had earlier obtained Canadian nationality were making plans for moving their residence to Canada at some time in the future. I said that I thought it was not surprising that, since attention had been focused on the issue of Hong Kong's future following the Prime Minister's visit last September, there had been more contingency planning of this kind by Hong Kong Chinese with overseas connections. However, providing the impression was maintained that a satisfactory solution could eventually be achieved and it was not in China's interest to give a contrary impression it seemed likely that, after the recent upsurge, visa applications and other contingency preparations would decrease and settle at a lower level.
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3. Anderson handed to me the attached Canadian eyes only telegram (please protect), which mentions (in para 7) that funds were being transferred from Hong Kong to Canada at the rate of Can 130 million a month in the first quarter of this year. I said I should be interested in any further information he could provide on the transfer of funds from Hong Kong as well as on emigration. He asked for any information which we could make available on emigration and transfer funds to other countries as well as on the economic value of Hong Kong to China and the level of Chinese investment in Hong Kong. May I leave it to you to consider what information to pass to the Canadians on these subjects.
7
9 June 1983
Cc:
Mr P Thomson, FED
голые
Mr D Martin, Cabinet Office
K C Walker
Research Department Far Eastern Section G 59/4 233 3473
SECRET UK EYES A