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reply. This would go a long way towards assuaging

public concern and would be warmly welcomed in the

community here.

Ethnic Minorities

The Lords debate of 15 July has given the

ethnic minority here encouragement.

action has gathered more momentum,

Their lobbying

They have recently

In

sent me 2 000 signed letters from both Hong Kong

Chinese and expatriates here (including a number of

British Citizens) who support their cause. The Han

Dongfang case has also given them extra ammunition.

a petition to me, they have expressed the fear that 'the position of non-chinese ethnic minorities in Hong

Kong is far more tenuous' if a Chinese national can be

refused entry into the PRC.

5.

I understand that the Home Secretary is

reconsidering his position in the light of the views

expressed in the Lords. I must continue to press strongly in support of the ethnic minorities' request for British citizenship.

denied, then I hope that the Home Secretary will again refer to the strong representations we have made and

will be robust in the reasons why he considers they

must be refused.

If the request is to be

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