CONFIDENTIAL
57290
1
WE ALSO HOPE THAT YOU WILL FEEL ABLE TO DO THE SAME FOR HOLDERS OF BRITISH PASSPORTS IN THE NEW STATUS OF BN(0).
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 WHERE THEY WANT TO LIVE AND THEY TOO ARE DETERMINED TO SEE THE JOINT DECLARATION SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED. THE CONTINED ABILITY TO TRAVEL FREELY WILL BE AN IMPORTANT FACTOR HELPING TO UNDERPIN CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG IN THE TERRITORY'S
FUTURE.
Но
WE HOPE YOU WILL GIVE DUE ACCOUNT TO THESE POINTS IN CONSIDERING VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAVELLERS FROM HONG KONG WITH
BRITISH PASSPORTS.
(POSSIBLY) I SHOULD ALSO LIKE TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO
TWO FURTHER POINTS:
5.
(A)
(B)
AUSTRIA (WHICH OF COURSE HAS ITS OWN PROBLEMS WITH ASYLUM SEEKERS) SUCCESSFULLY INTRODUCED VISA-FREE ACCESS FOR TOURISTS AND BUSINESS VISITORS FROM HONG KONG IN MAY
1984:
(FOR USE ONLY WITH EC MEMBERS): A RESOLUTION OF JULY 1985 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT URGED MEMBER STATES TO ELIMINATE VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR HONG KONG BDTCS VISITING
FOR NOT MORE THAN THREE MONTHS.
2
CONFIDENTIAL