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Fears also continue to be expressed about the isolated position of non-ethnic Chinese once sovereignty is transferred in 1997, but the Chinese Government has indicated that these minorities will be quite welcome to stay and apply for Chinese citizenship. We have given assurances in the event of the situation in Hong Kong unexpectedly deteriorating to the point where the ethnic minorities feel under pressure to leave. To be precise we have said that if any solely British national with no claim to Chinese citizenship came under pressure to leave Hong Kong the British Government of the day would consider with particular sympathy their case for admission to the United Kingdom.
All of this seems to me to be very fair and to safeguard the position of the ethnic minorities perfectly adequately. I do not think that the British Government can reasonably do more. I really do not see any prospect of the Government going back to Parliament for approval of further legislation to make specific citizenship provision for the ethnic minorities. I think that your response to the Chief Secretary ought to reiterate forcefully the position of the British Government - not just the Home Office on this issue.
While this
Finally, I wonder about the timing of your response. is of course a matter for your judgement my own assessment is that it is unlikely to deter the proposed June delegation and that we shall have to give the same message to them after their visit. Making the statement now would give us little more to say and, I should have thought, would make it more likely that you would be faced with strenuous objections. My own preference would be to accept the Hong Kong Government's latest advice and make no reply until after the delegation has visited.
Your ever
Chines
CHARLES WARDLE
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