A
Ow
C
Whomersley, Legal Advisers
UK/CHINA CONSULAR AGREEMENT
FEC 406/1
Reference.
@
fr Leeks
(2)
pc
Chinese visa apie
1.
NTD have noticed an inconsistency in the entry into force date of the Understanding on the Chinese Visa Office in Hong Kong, referred to in the exchange of notes on the Consular Agreement.
2. According to the exchange of notes of 14 April 1984 the Visa Office Understanding would come into operation "on the date on which the Government of the United Kingdom notifies the Government of the People's Republic of China that the procedures required to give effect to this Understanding have been completed". (Para 2 of the Embassy's note of 27 December.) However para 3 of the Chinese reply of 14 January 1985 to that note refers to the Under- standing coming into force on 24 December (ie the date that the Visa Ordinance came into effect) and not the date on which we notified the Chinese of completion of UK legal procedures.
3. NTD consider that we will need to instruct our Embassy in Peking to explain the difficulty to the Chinese and to seek amendment to the Chinese note. I should be grateful for confirmation that you are content with this procedure, and for any comments on the
attached draft telegram to
Peking.
HKK 349
3491
}
7 February 1985
cc: Miss Walker, HKD
Miss Steele, NTD
Miss Steele INTD)
:
8012
Tudykee
Mrs T Coe
Far Eastern Department
cc: Mrs Ge
Ms Walker.
11. I should be grateful if you could explain to me why this minor inconsistency could possibly matter, giver that Hong Kong were able to give effect to the Understanding as from 24/12, since that is when the Ordinance entered into force.
2. I note too that this concems an
not
a
Understanding,
published, registrable Agreement.
C.A. Whomersley Legal Adiroirs
E 18-77
8/2/85