RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED
022767 MDLIAN 267
THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO USE THEIR PASSPORTS AS TRAVEL DOCUMENTS INTO OR OUT OF HONG KONG. IT REPORTS THE SOURCE AS SAYING QUOTE CHINA MAINTAINS THAT THE DOCUMENT IS NOT VALID UNQUOTE. THE POINT ABOUT CONSULAR PROTECTION IS THE STANDARD CHINESE LINE. THE NON-ACCEPTANCE OF THE PASSPORTS ISSUED UNDER THE PACKAGE FOR ENTRY INTO AND EXIT FROM THE SAR (A POINT ALSO MADE PREVIOUSLY) MAY MEAN THAT THE CHINESE INTEND THAT BENEFICIARIES SHOULD ENTER AND EXIT ON THEIR ID CARDS OR OTHER DOCUMENTS EVEN THOUGH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE HOW IMMIGRATION OFFICERS COULD DISTINGUISH BETWEEN HOLDERS OF BRITISH PASSPORTS ACQUIRED UNDER THE THE PACKAGE AND THOSE WHO HOLD UK PASSPORTS OTHERWISE OBTAINED. NEVERTHELESS, EVEN IF THIS DISTINCTION COULD BE MADE AND ENFORCED, IT WOULD NOT OF COURSE PRECLUDE BENEFICIARIES TRAVELLING ON THEIR BC PASSPORTS WHEN OUTSIDE THE SAR.
WILSON
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
58
.HONG KONG AGREEMENT
(RESTRICTED)
LIMITED
HKD
HD/FED
NEWS D
ADDITIONAL
3
DISTRIBUTION
61
PUSD
RAD
PS/LORD CAITHNESS PS/MR LENNOX-BOYD
MR MCLAREN
MR BURNS
MS FOAKES LEGAL ADVISERS
MS BARRETT LEGAL ADVISERS
MR FIFOOT LEGAL ADVISERS
NNNN
2
PAGE RESTRICTED