TOLARE JALAZR
C
SUPPLEMENTARY SPEAKING NOTE
This speaking note is intended for use in Belgium, the Netherlands,
France, the FRG, Luxembourg (the "Schengen" countries), Denmark,
Norway, Sweden, Finland (the Nordic Council), Spain and Mexico.
Posts Would adapt it at their Own discretion for use in their
particular country.
1.
The subject of visa abolition for BDTCs from Hong Kong is one
that we have discussed before. I know that it is something you have
been looking at [with your partners in the [Schengen Agreement]
[Nordic Council]]. We of course continue to hope very much that you
will feel able [to continue to have no visa requirement] [on
consideration, to agree to lift visa requirements] for visitors from
Hong Kong with British passports. We also hope that you will feel
able to do the same for holders of
of British passports in the new
status of BN (O).
2.
As will be clear from the explanation of the new status I
have just given, the change is essentially one of nomenclature in
consequence of the change of sovereignty to take place in 1997.
BN (0)s, like BDTCs from Hong Kong now, will continue to be
returnable there both before and after 1997. We are therefore
confident that visa free access for BN (0) s would cause your
immigration authorities few, if any, difficulties. We believe the
existing situation bears this out: SO far as we are aware visitors from Hong Kong do not, with very few exceptions, cause practical
problems.
3.
Nor do we expect practical problems to increase in the
future. Hong Kong does not and, we are sure, will not pose an immigration threat. Britain and China are firmly committed to the successful implementation of the Joint Declaration. We have every
reason to believe the overwhelming majority of people in Hong Kong
intend to stay there and make their home in the territory. That is