GPS 110
CONFIDENTIAL
OP D
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG 2706352 JUL 83
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELEGRAM NUMBER 1084 OF 27 JULY 1983
INFO PRIORITY PEKING
62
YOUR TELNO 686: CHINESE VISA OFFICE.
HKK 349/1.
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY 28 JUL 1983
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
لله
REGISTRY
Action Taken
Dom
WE CAN ACCEPT QUOTE OFFICERS UNQUOTE, QUOTE OFFICIALS UNQUOTE
OR QUOTE STAFF MEMBERS UNQUOTE ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WHATEVER
TERM IS ADOPTED MEANS CHINA-BASED STAFF OF THE VISA OFFICE, WHO
WOULD HOLD EITHER DIPLOMATIC OFFICIAL OR SERVICE PASSPORTS. THE
DIFFERENTIATION IN THE DEGREE OF TAX FREE PRIVILEGE WHICH THE
VCCR DEFINITIONS ARE DESIGNED TO PRODUCE IS LARGELY IRRELEVANT
TO HONG KONG. ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FUEL ARE THE ONLY DUTIABLE
COMMODITIES IN HONG KONG. IT IS OUR INTENTION TO ALLOW ALL CHINA
BASED STAFF OF THE OFFICE THE SAME DUTY FREE PRIVILEGES AS ARE
AVAILABLE TO CONSULAR EMPLOYEES IN HONG KONG. THE VISA OFFICE
DOES NOT PERMIT INDIVDUAL STAFF MEMBERS TO OWN PRIVATE CARS.
ALL ITS VEHICLES ARE THEREFORE OFFICIAL, AND SO THE NEED TO
DETERMINE WHICH MEMBERS OF STAFF HAVE PERMANENT PRIVILEGES AND
WHICH HAVE FIRST INSTALLATION PRIVILEGES DOES NOT (NOT. ) ARISE
(63)
see (97)
HADDON-CAVE
LIMITED
HKD
NTD
FED
PCD
MRDONALD
LORD NG-LENNOX
CONFIDENTIAL
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED)
MR WHOMERSLY) LEÇAL
ADVISERS
MR BURROWS