布政司署
香港下亞厘畢道
MRD 345k5
RECE
- 1 OCT 1993
INDE
GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT
LOWER ALBERT ROAD
HONG KONG
21.09.1993
本署檔號 Our Ref: PAO(S) 5/2091/88
來函檔號 Your Ref:
See also 345/2
Ms D Barnes Jones
Hong Kong Department
FCO
Dear Deborah,
EC Visa Policy and Hong Kong Speaking Note
We spoke yesterday on two additional useful points to make: the compulsory identity card system in Hong Kong which is an additional deterrent to would be illegal immigrants, and reference to JD 165 which states that entry to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of persons from China shall continue to be regulated in accordance to the present practice i.e. the operation of existing border control measures including the immediate repatriation of illegal immigrants to China will continue.
You have asked for some defensive points to use when people start querying whether our new 7-day visa free arrangement for PRC passport holders transitting Hong Kong will weaken our immigration system. This arrangement has been in place since 1 August 1993. To be able to enjoy such facilities, the PRC passport holders will need to meet certain strict requirements including: they must hold a valid passport with adequate returnability to their country of residence, possess onward facilities (including entry facilities for the destination country and countries enroute if necessary) and confirmed onward tickets.
We have also a further suggestion to make on the fourth point in your speaking note (enclosed under Mr Ricketts letter of 16 September) to bring out the selling point more explicitly. We suggest to amend the paragraph as follows:
"Invite Member States to note that Hong Kong has effective control on persons in direct transit who remain on airside. These measures include the conducting by Immigration Officers of random checks of the travel documents of these persons as well as the observation of suspicious activities”.
22