碗
one of the specific purposes of HMG's passing the Nationality Act in 1981 was to "shut the door" against Hong Kong Chinese still runs deep. There is great anxiety about the real value of the new BN(O) passport: and fear that it will be regarded with great suspicion by immigration authorities of thir countries. There is likely to be strong pressure for an assurance that HMG will insist
on a formula which will declare in
in the passport that the holder has the right of abode in Hong Kong and will not be content with a formula which refers only to a Hong Kong identity card. The Indian community will continue to express concern about possible statelessness for succeeding generations.
8.
On Vietnamese refugees, Mr Renton will probably be
probably be asked to give an account of the state of play in persuading other countries to accept larger numbers of such refugees from Hong Kong and it may
well be suggested that if other countries do not Come up with enlarged quotas
quotas HMG should itself increase its intake beyond the "family reunion" cases already agreed.
9.
The reduction of the garrison by one battalion has been received calmly. There may be requests for an assurance which Mr Ren ton can give that there will
there will be no precipitate withdrawal of the remaining garrison.
10. Among economic issues Hong Kong's main concern at the present time is the growth of protectionist sentiment in the United State and particularly the Thurmond/Jenkins Bill. Although there is every indication that the president will veto the bill and that there will not be sufficient votes to override his veto, there i s a fear that in the
the subsequent political bargaining some measure detrimental to the entry of Hong Kong's exports to the United States, particularly of garments, will still be agreed. (The representations to be made by Mr Brittan in Washington during his visit there from 29 - 30 October will be helpful on this.) Mr Renton may be ask ed about progress in the Joint Liaison Group on
preservation of Hong Kong's GATT status after 1997.
11. Mr Renton will meet members of the
wide
cross-section of
community
leaders.
the
business community and a
He will have lunch with