TNAG-0744-FCO40-948-Relations-between-China-and-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 43

C.S. 166

CONFIDENTIAL ## 機密

222

For discussion

on 19th December 1978

XCC(78)98

Copy No Page 1

MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

34

TRAVEL TO CHINA BY GOVERNMENT OFFICERS

The Present Situation

No

of 80

STY NO. 51

1973

REGIS?

Action To

17/12 F

The present regulations governing visits to China by senior and middle grade officials were last revised in June 1977. Under these regulations private visits are forbidden for all officers occupying posts graded as Category A in the Government Personnel Security Instructions. (In general terms these cover all those in Administrative and Executive grades as well as a wide range of others down to Assistant Engineers in the Buildings Ordinance Office and Class III Foremen in the Civil Engineering Office). Under the present regulations, official visits by such officers can be approved if it is thought that the visit will be of benefit to the Hong Kong Government. The regulations say that the restrictions which apply to an officer "should be accepted by members of his immediate family". Visits by junior members of the Government Service (with some exceptions) are not restricted.

Recent Developments

2

During the past eighteen months Chinese policy towards the outside world, including Hong Kong, has been increasingly forthcoming. They are now making a major effort to increase tourism. For the first time for many years, regular tours are being organised from Hong Kong. They cater for both foreigners and Chine se (sometimes together, more often separately). This trend is likely to intensify. Within a year or two an increasingly large number of people in Hong Kong will have visited China. The existing policy is likely to appear increasingly anomalous both to those now banned from visiting China and to the general public. There is a danger that it will be increasingly criticised and probably even disregarded. Already there have been cases of wives of senior officers going to China despite the strictures of the present regulations.

Proposals for Gradual Relaxation

3

It is proposed that there should now be some relaxation in the existing policy. This should be done gradually and on a step-by- step basis. Those with regular access to highly classified information

CONFIDENTIAL

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