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(a)
the very small numbers likely to be involved:
(b)
the fact that such people must have the right of
abode (and hence be returnable) elsewhere.
5.
A further point you should emphasise is that since
first-time passports showing BN (0) status can only be
obtained before 1 July 1997 although replacements can be
obtained subsequently, there can be no question of
mainland Chinese residents entering Hong Kong after that
date in order to acquire such passports. Furthermore,
there will in any case continue to be control of movement
across the border
Region and the rest of China. Section XIV of Annex I to
the Joint Declaration stipulates that:
between the
Special
Administrative
"Entry into the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region of persons from other parts of China shall
continue to be regulated in accordance
present practice."
with the
6.
More generally, you should
you should recall that the Joint
Declaration of the Government of
of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of
the People's Republic of China on the Question of Hong
Kong was welcomed in Hong Kong and very widely throughout
the international community. Many foreign governments
expressed their support for the Joint Declaration and
what it seeks to
achieve.
(It would be particularly
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