THIS IS A COPY
THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN RETAINED IN THE DEPARTMENT UNDER
SECTION 3 (4) OF THE
PUBLIC RECORDS ACT 1958
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question by asking other countries to consider taking similar
measures.
Chinese leaders are very
suspicious of our motives. It is unrealistic to expect the Chinese to support our package. Our aim should be to dispel their
suspicions to the extent that this is possible and to get them to say as little as possible in public. The Prime Minister may wish to
stress that
The package is not aimed against China and will not damage
Chinese interests Under the Joint Declaration, we have an
obligation to maintain the stability and prosperity of Hong
Kong. This is precisely what our package is designed to
achieve.
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The same applies to any similar measures which might be taken by other countries. Hong Kong is an international centre, with huge international investment. Its major trading
partners also have a strong interest in Hong Kong's continuing
stability and prosperity.
We decided to offer beneficiaries of the scheme full British
passports rather than some form of guaranteed entry because of
concern in Hong Kong that anything less than passports could easily be revoked by a future British Government and would
therefore not provide a secure assurance.
We appreciate that Chinese nationality law does not recognise
dual nationality. But we hope we can find a way to resolve
this difficulty.
It has always been clear from the Joint Declaration that certain top posts in the future SAR Government would be reserved for Chinese nationals. We accept that those who wish to reach these top posts will therefore have to decide whether to apply for British citizenship.
Another important area where the Chinese could help to promote
ALIAAJ
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!