CODE 18-77
HKK 349/1.
RECEIVED IN REGISTY
22 FEB 1984
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
Miss Walker (HKD)
RECI-
PA
iction
With
a
CHINESE VISA OFFICE IN HONG KONG
Reference
R&R (B)
CC: Mr Glover (NTD)
Mr Cox (FED)
&, @ 2 3 4
1. I refer to your minute, enclosing copies of Hong Kong Telnos 234 and 235 of 13 February, and to Mr Glover's minute in reply dated 20 February.
(io).
2. I agree with Mr Glover's comments; in particular, I likewise see no objection to the proposal in paragraph 3 of the revised draft Understanding.
3. I have the following comments of my own, all of which are relatively minor.
Paragraph 3: Is the phrase "British Hong Kong authorities' acceptable ? I suggest that you may wish to consult Mr Burrows on this point.
11
: Also, in the third line from the bottom, I think that the word "Article" is wrong, as elsewhere references are made to "paragraphs". I suggest that this sentence might be rephrased to begin: "In such cases, the preceding provisions of this paragraph shall also
...
Paragraph 5: The wording of this provision would be improved as well as made consistent with both Article 43 of VCCR and Article 7 of the draft UK/China Consular Agreement, if the chapeau ended with 'action', sub-paragraph (a) began 'arising out of', and in sub-paragraph (b) the words 'is taken' and 'demanding compensation' were omitted.
Paragraph 6: The phrase 'and so are' in the middle of this paragraph reads rather oddly; the following might be better:-
"Goods imported into, exported from and purchased in
Hong Kong, either by the Visa Office for official use or by its officers for their private use, shall be exempted from duties and taxes."
4. Of course, Hong Kong may have their own views on this.
22 February 1984
C.A. Whomersley
CA Whomersley Legal Advisers WH227;233 3946
,