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ExCo welcomes visa-free assurance by Prime Minister
The following is a statement issued by the Convenor of the Executive Council, Rosanna Wong today (Monday):
"I am very pleased to learn the British Prime Minister Mr John Major has given the assurance that the future holders of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports will not be required to obtain visas to enter the United Kingdom after 1997. This will serve as a positive encouragement for other countries to offer similar visa- free arrangements in the future.
I am also heartened that the British Government has provided a guarantee to the non-Chinese ethnic minorities regarding admission and settlement in the UK after 1997 in the event that any member of this group should come under pressure to leave Hong Kong after the transfer of sovereignty. I particularly welcome the promise of full British citizenship for the wives and widows of ex-servicemen from HK who fought in the war.
All my colleagues in the Executive Council join me in welcoming this good news which is indeed a boost to the confidence of the Hong Kong community."
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Visa-free status will help boost confidence
The decision by the British Government to grant holders of Hong Kong SAR passports visa free access to the United Kingdom will help boost confidence in Hong Kong, a government spokesman said today (Monday).
Welcoming the announcement made by the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Mr John Major, the spokesman said it was important to the people of Hong Kong that their way of life would remain unchanged beyond 1997.
"Ease of travel for the people of Hong Kong is of vital importance to maintaining their confidence as well as the territory's status as a world-class financial and trading centre." he said.