CONFIDENTIAL
FUTURE BRITISH CONSULATE-GENERAL IN HONG KONG
Introduction
1.
It is provided in Section XI of Annex I to the
Sino-British Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong
Kong that "The United Kingdom may establish a
Consulate-General in the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region". Some discussion has taken place within the FCO,
with other government departments currently represented
in Hong Kong and with the Hong Kong Government, about
issues raised by the establishment of a British
Consulate-General for the period after 30 June 1997.
This paper sets out the position reached so far in these
discussions, draws preliminary conclusions and makes
recommendations for further action.
Description of the Problem
2.
It will clearly be necessary to establish a
Consulate-General in Hong Kong. It will be a large
establishment, staffed to carry out a full range of
functions including political, commercial
passport and entry clearance work.
consular,
(Functions in the
last category will be particularly labour- intensive,
given the potential presence in Hong Kong of a community
of British Nationals (Overseas) numbered in millions -
see paragraph 13 (ii).)
CONFIDENTIAL