JH1AKT (2)
CONFIDENTIAL
SIR Y K PAO'S VISIT TO BRITAIN: JUNE 1986
(e) HONG KONG: POSSIBLE APPLICATION FOR BRITISH
CITIZENSHIP BY MR LI KA-SHING
Background
Mr Li Ka-Shing is Hong Kong's biggest property tycoon
and a business associate of Sir Y K Pao. We believe he is
1.
one of a small number of
number of very wealthy Chinese businessmen
on whose behalf Mr Sandberg, Chairman of the Hong Kong and
Shanghai Bank, recently approached the Home Secretary and
the Prime Minister in the context of their wish to acquire
British citizenship. The Secretary of State discussed the
issue with the Home Secretary and the Prime Minister on 22
April. The Governor of Hong Kong has now given his firm
views (attached telegram).
2.
We understand the Home
the Home office will shortly be writing
to us seeking agreement to a draft letter to go to the Prime Minister. The Home Secretary will himself receive
Sir Y K on 11 June. At present there is nothing for the
Secretary of State to say on the substance of the issue.
of
3. Li Ka-Shing was named by the Hong Kong Insider Dealing
Tribunal report in April as having a high degree
culpability in insider dealing surrounding property
transactions completed in 1984.
CONFIDENTIAL