CONFIDENTIAL
The implications of this for beneficiaries under the scheme who
wished to renounce:
10.
a) the Chinese would have to agree to set up an equivalent bureau under HKSAR to receive applications, (or applicants would have to make their applications in Guangdong); and
b) the Chinese would have to agree that recipients under the
scheme had "legitimate reasons" for renunciation.
Consular protection for beneficiaries under the scheme
ultimately depends, therefore, on the attitude of the Chinese
authorities; not merely on the usual practical question as to
whether they would permit consular access in a given case, but
whether we would have legal grounds seek to exercise consular
protection. This has clear implications for the public line that we
can take on consular protection. We need to give a clear signal
that HMG are fully resolved to do all they can to protect the
interests of British citizens within the parameters of
international law and practice.
ARP
A R Paul
CONFIDENTIAL