©
Mr Ricketts Ricke
Mr Hum
PS/Mr Goodlad
Che 9/10
Miwriter-geen
FROM: C E Garrett
Hong Kong Department
DATE: 9 December 1993
RECEN
370/22
ISTRY
HI
4 DEC 1993
DESK C
RECISTRY ction Take
INDEX
HONG KONG: FREEDOM OF TRAVEL: COMMENTS BY CHINESE-VICE-MINISTER
Problem
1. How to react to Chinese comments that China will, after
1997, apply a political correctness test in issuing permits to
Hong Kong residents to enter the rest of the PRC.
Recommendation
H
2. That we should register with NCNA in Hong Kong our concerns
about reports of these plans and ask them for clarification.
submit a draft telegram to Hong Kong.
Background
3.
Hong Kong telno 1836 reports press coverage of recent
comments by Chinese Vice-Minister for public security, Tian Qiyu. He is quoted as saying that after 1997 China will introduce a travel pass scheme for SAR residents wishing to
visit the rest of China, and that although "the great majority of Hong Kong people" would be free to enter and leave the mainland, "a handful of people who engage in activities against the Chinese Government" might not be permitted entry.
4.
There is already considerable concern in the Hong Kong
community about the preservation after 1997 of freedom of travel. The comments have been given wide coverage in Hong Kong and, unsurprisingly, are attracting criticism.
trv.min.FUT
SLM