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FM HONG KONG

RECE!

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 3635

INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING

OF 061035Z DECEMBER 90

Θέ

INDEX

CONSULAR PROTECTION

STRY

1 0 DEC 1990

BN(0)

16

167252

MDHIAN 2977

TOP COPY Q DIST?

STRY

г

1. MARTIN LEE HAS PUT DOWN THE FOLLOWING LEGCO QUESTION FOR ANSWER ON 12 DECEMBER 1990:

QUOTE

WILL GOVERNMENT INFORM THIS COUNCIL:

Upa 2/12

(A)(I) WHETHER THE BRITISH OR HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS IN THE PAST PROVIDED PROTECTION SIMILAR TO CONSULAR PROTECTION TO HONG

KONG PERMANENT RESIDENTS BOTH CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY AND BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORY CITIZEN PASSPORT HOLDERS WHEN THEY WERE IN TAIWAN, AND

-

(II) WHAT KIND OF PROTECTION, IF ANY, IT PLANS TO OFFER IN THE FUTURE TO HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENTS IN TAIWAN, AND

(B) WHETHER THERE ARE ANY TERRITORIES OR COUNTRIES WHERE THE

BRITISH OR HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS NOT PREPARED TO OFFER CONSULAR

OR SIMILAR PROTECTION TO HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENTS? UNQUOTE

2. CONSULAR OR CONSULAR TYPE PROTECTION ABROAD IS OF COURSE A

MATTER ENTIRELY FOR HMG. HKG'S ONLY CONSULAR FUNCTIONS ARE IN ACTING AS AN AGENT FOR HMG WITHIN HONG KONG (IMMIGRATION DEPT). WE THEREFORE PROPOSE TO ANSWER AS FOLLOWS:

(A) (I) HMG HAS NO DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN.

(II) THERE ARE NO PLANS FOR THIS POSITION TO CHANGE IN FUTURE.

(B) CONSULAR PROTECTION IS PROVIDED BY BRITISH DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS TO HONG KONG RESIDENTS TRAVELLING ABROAD IN THE SAME WAY

AS TO BRITISH CITIZENS OR OTHER BRITISH NATIONALS. HOWEVER NO

SUCH PROTECTION CAN BE PROVIDED BY HMG IN COUNTRIES OR TERRITORIES WITH WHICH HMG HAS NO DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS OR WHERE

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167252

MDHIA 2977

IT HAS NO INTERESTS SECTION IN ANOTHER COUNTRY'S EMBASSY. CURRENTLY COUNTRIES OR TERRITORIES IN THIS CATEGORY ARE - QUERY.

3. GRATEFUL FOR YOUR URGENT VIEWS (DESKBY 07170OZ) ON THE ABOVE: AND FOR A LIST OF COUNTRIES OR TERRITORIES WHERE CURRENTLY NO PROTECTION CAN BE AFFORDED, IN ORDER TO COMPLETE 2(B).

FORD

YYYY

DISTRIBUTION

61

ΜΑΙΝ

58

.HONG KONG AGREEMENT

PUSD

.(RESTRICTED)

RAD

LIMITED

HKD

HD/FED

NEWS D

ADDITIONAL

3

PS/LORD CAITHNESS

PS/MR LENNOX-BOYD

MR MCLAREN

MR BURNS

MS FOAKES LEGAL ADVISERS

MS BARRETT LEGAL ADVISERS

MR FIFOOT LEGAL ADVISERS

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