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CODE 18-77
AWO Ltd.
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SKLAHE
سکتا
Mr
Mr
Powel
Powell
CONFIDENTIAL
Reference..
Flags A-G
The const
263
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This is urgent, because we wed to
Set our Pyar on cols to în duse joon,
(not deplants are wrong Countin
as
we can either (a) submit to Mis couldly coucher Dept's view of (6) fuger who in to pyer, pornly at the prother in Incouvin etc which
Pressumably and wish Taiwan ?
(
HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY HOLDERS: CONSULAR PROTECTION
1.
2
(261
Your minute of 31 January refers.
262
V.
Consular Department have now replied to the point made by EXCO about HMG coming to s ome arrangement with the Chinese Government to continue offering consular assistance to HKCOI holders (and even HKSAR passport holders)
HKSAR passport holders) after 30 June 1997 in certain countries (eg South Korea, Indonesia) where China had no representation. The proposal has been rejected basically on I agree with Consular Department, as do
financial grounds. NTD.
3.
At the moment, because of our general responsibility for Hong Kong, we can justify the informal consular protection which we offer to HKCOI holders in serious trouble abroad. We also help with repatriation and renewal of travel documents. It should be stressed however that HKCOI holders have no legal right to this consular protection.
They are not British nationals and other countries could even refuse to allow us to offer such protection if they wished. On 1 July 1997 any basis for our becoming involved in HKCOI consular cases disappears, along with any justification for the continued expenditure the man power and financial
resources currently employed in assisting HKCOI holders.
With a current HKCOI holding population of 900,000 and another 800,000 eligible, such expenditure is potentially significant.
4.
of
1312
We could try to obtain Ministerial approval for EXCO's proposal but I do not think our case would be very strong. I think we should accept Consular Department's line and put it to Hong Kong. If we want to refer to
to this
this subject in our JLG paper, it could just be along the lines of the Chinese having to take note that there may be a problem in countries where they are not represented and perhaps they could propose a solution to this themselves; we for our part
our part could only advise holders of COIS that after 30 June 1997 if they
1997 if they intended to travel on these documents to countries where the PRC was not represented, consular assistance would not be available.
11 February 1986
нии
Mhill HAM 040/4
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
1 8 FEB 1986
DESK OFFICER
M T Hill
INDEX
PA
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PEGISTRY
CHIGN T
Carouler Dapt a problem is presumably mampare, ceiling wither than many, suceive a presumably sumsage
a is
getting the Chinese to pay for
one.
our series. But I can understand Theis reluctance to take this me.
Will this be so much fa problem? Sung
CONFIDENTIAL
HK,
afte 1997 most Co I holders will be able to get PRC pasports. I'd be for telling hik, and the Chinine, that present informal «nangements for UK Pats to assin tie (of I holders wife of cance
cance clase in 1997
Rayden 13/