4.
Similarly, in civil proceedings (to which the Hong
Kong Government would probably not be a party) it is remotely
possible that failure to comply with a court order could
result in the defaulter being in contempt of court, for
which the ultimate sanction could be committal to prison.
If such a situation arose, principles of common law dictate
that the administration could not interfere with the
exercise of the court's power.
5. The above arrangements for the proposed Visa Office in
Hong Kong are based on the understanding that:
a. it will be known as the Hong Kong Visa Office
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's
Republic of China;
b. it will not be a representative office of
the Government of the People's Republic of China
and its functions will be restricted to the issue
of visas.
BRITI
BRITISH EMBASSY
PEKING
19 June 1981
PEKING