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CONFIDENTIAL
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Visa Abolition Agreements (VAAS)
Objective
To ensure that Hong Kong people will enjoy after
1997 visa-free access to third countries.
Present Position
2.
We do not have an authoritative list of countries
which allow HKBDTCs visa-free entry. We understand,
however, that 69 countries extend this facility to HKBDTCS
(Annex A).
3.
Holders of certificates of identity (who make up
some 40% of Hong Kong's total population) do not enjoy visa-free access to any foreign country.
Basis of visa-free access for HKBDTCs
(A) VAAS
4.
We understand that the UK has 48 VAAS with third
countries (Annex B). All these pre-date the BNA 1981 and
none specifically covers BDTCs, a creation of the 1981
Act. Although HMG stressed, before the 1981 Act came into
effect, that it would interpret international agreements covering the previous categories of nationals as applying to the new categories of citizens, the position has never
been tested on a formal basis.
CONFIDENTIAL
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