XN000022-1992-03-03 — Page 3

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1992

STI WELCOMES VETO OF CONDITIONAL MFN BILL

THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, TODAY (TUESDAY) WELCOMED PRESIDENT BUSH'S VETO OF THE BILL WHICH SEEKS TO IMPOSE CONDITIONS ON THE RENEWAL OF MOST FAVOURED NATION TRADING STATUS FOR CHINA.

MR CHAU SAID: "AN IMPORTANT POINT IS THAT IN THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE TO THE CONGRESS, PARTICULAR MENTION WAS MADE OF THE FACT THAT CONDITIONAL MFN STATUS FOR CHINA WOULD WEAKEN HONG KONG. THIS SHOWS THAT HONG KONG'S CASE HAS BEEN GIVEN WEIGHT IN THE PRESIDENT'S DECISION."

"THERE IS A STRONG LIKELIHOOD THAT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WILL SEEK TO OVERRIDE THE PRESIDENTIAL VETO IN THE NEAR FUTURE. ON THE BASIS OF PREVIOUS VOTING PATTERNS ALL EXPECTATIONS ARE THAT A VETO OVERRIDE WOULD BE CARRIED BY A LARGE MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE. THE REAL BATTLE WOULD TAKE PLACE IN THE SENATE BUT THE TIMING IS NOT CERTAIN.

"WE WILL OF COURE CONTINUE TO DO ALL WE CAN ΤΟ ENSURE THAT HONG KONG'S INTERESTS IN THIS MATTER ARE FULLY UNDERSTOOD AND ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, MR CHAU SAID.

BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME MAKES GOOD PROGRESS

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THE

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME HAS BEEN MAKING GOOD PROGRESS, AN IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) ACT 1990 PROVIDES FOR UP TO 50,000 PRINCIPAL APPLICANTS AND THEIR DEPENDANTS TO BE REGISTERED AS BRITISH CITIZENS WITHOUT REQUIRING THEM TO LEAVE HONG KONG.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID AS AT FEBRUARY 29 THIS YEAR, 11,060 PERSONS HAD BEEN REGISTERED AS BRITISH CITIZENS UNDER THE SCHEME. THIS INCLUDES 3,746 PRINCIPAL BENEFICIARIES AND THEIR 7,314 DEPENDANTS.

"IN ADDITION, ABOUT 9,367 PRINCIPAL APPLICANTS HAVE ALREADY ATTENDED THE VERIFICATION INTERVIEWS. ON SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF INTERVIEW AND CHECK, DETAILS OF THESE APPLICANTS WILL BE PUT FORWARD BY THE STEERING COMMITTEE ON THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME TO THE GOVERNOR WHO, IF SATISFIED, WILL RECOMMEND THEM TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR REGISTRATION AS BRITISH CITIZENS.

/"FOR THE