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build a new airport so that Hong Kong can continue to prosper.
(HONG KOME)
The British Nationality Act, which has just completed its passage through parliament, is central. It provides for British passports to be issued to 50,000 heads of household and their dependents
of
225,000
(perhaps 250,000 people in all). The aim by providing this irrevocable reassurance, is to encourage key figures in Hong Kong to stay on up to and beyond 1997. Their continuing presence will
to
►
benefit China The recent Chinese government comment that they could not recognise these passports after 1997 (not a statement but a response to press questioning) does not invalidate the policy. They have always taken this line and I would not expect them to change it. but they have not been able to make a case that it
contravenes the Joint Declaration, and once the British passports
are issued they will be indistinguishable from any other
We have to do business with China over Hong Kong. This does not
mean approbation of Chinese domestic policy, although there have
been some encouraging steps. To refuse contact would be a gross
dereliction of duty which could only damage the prospects for a free, prosperous future in Hong Kong, and undo what has already been achivered.
N.6AAF