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FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: VISIT TO WASHINGTON: 18-21 MARCH
HONG KONG
NATIONALITY
Current Position
1.
The
The confidence of Hong Kong people is still at a low ebb. problem of confidence is shown by increasing emigration from the
is one consequence territory and increasing numbers of people who are contemplating
leaving. 42,000 people left Hong Kong in 1989, many of them key professionals. At least 55,000 are expected to leave this year.
British Attitude
2. The exodus of talent from Hong Kong is a problem which we take
very seriously. On 20 December 1989 the Foreign Secretary announced
in the House of Commons a package of measures designed to give key
people in the public and private sectors the confidence to remain in
Hong Kong (a copy of his statement attached).
3 Since announcing our nationality package, we have been taking
every opportunity to encourage our partners and allies, especially those with close social and economic ties with Hong Kong, to
so for have been mixed, consider taking similar measures as part of an international
but it is to early to give response to meet the crisis of confidence in Hong Kong
Couri'defed
assecament
The results
post-Tiananmen, We have stressed that the impact of our measures
would be much enhanced if other countries followed our lead by
taking comparable measures and that the unique eircumstances of Hong
Keng require a unique solution.
US Perspective
4. The United States has a major economic stake in Hong Kong's
continued prosperity. The United States is Hong Kong's largest
FAYAMT
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