CONFIDENTIAL
1
4.
Whatever the
non-ethnic Chinese
would
Chinese.
eventual decision on citizenship for the
Chinese minorities in Hong Kong, I believe it
be politically impossible both here and in Hong Kong
in effect to "sell" British citizenship to these wealthy
This would be very damaging for our standing in
Hong Kong and for confidence there. The Chinese Government
might well resent our providing these people with a
"bolt-hole": this would affect the smooth working of the Joint Liaison Group and hence Hong Kong's general interest.
5.
from the
close link
I thus do not think the Governor's idea of tying British citizenship to a "captive" investment in Hong Kong
could possibly be a starter. It is even further
BNA principle that citizenship should reflect a
with a territory than is the idea of tying it to investment
to institutionalise
arrangement would necessarily make it public and
invite further members to join a "rich man's
payment of an appropriate entry fee.
in Britain.
6.
Moreover
such
an
in
effect
club"
on
For the moment I think we should rest on
Governor's quite reasonable advice that no decisions
the
be
taken until we have been able to judge the reaction in Hong
Kong to our decisions on the three LegCo proposals. The
likely decision against granting British citizenship to non-ethnic minorities in Hong Kong would further undermine
any argument, whether from the Governor or from the Prime
Minister, in favour of giving exceptional treatment to the
rich Chinese. However the draft letter expresses support
in principle for the Home Secretary's position.
understand that this accords with the line taken by the
Secretary of State at his meeting with the Home Secretary
this morning.
I agree
wilt the argument in the subersicon but think that
The draft letter neede
to be
allowed to reflect it, even if
Conten
CO Hum
we do
to
Spell
ar
Hong Kong Department
26 March 1986
بالا
I
the NON-ethnic Chiene
are cleare). I have
the full argumente or the stage (before the NON- question is resolved Suggested
a
and the Soverwor's Kews raws
redraft.
CONFIDEN TIAL
a. (clave).
27:1