TNAG-0804-FCO40-1009-Applications-for-visas-from-citizens-of-Eastern-European-cou-1978 — Page 12

CONFIDENTIAL

BRITISH EMBASSY

BUDAPEST

R J T McLaren Esq

Hong Kong & General Dept

FCO

Dear Robin,

28 September 1978

R&R

with 1977 +78

про

RELATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND HUNGARY

مه

Last night I attended a party given by the Hong Kong Trade Development Office, who are anxious to promote exports to Hungary and who have been participating in the current Autumn Fair in Budapest. The familiar point was brought up concerning the difficulties encountered by Hungarian nationals in securing visas for Hong Kong, which are issued by us on behalf of the Hong Kong Government.

2. The Hong Kong Government are unfortunately in something of a dilemma. On the one hand they want to expand their trade with countries like Hungary and they must be aware that Hong Kong's exports to Hungary will not flourish unless the Hungarians are allowed to promote their own exports to Hong Kong, since at present the trade runs heavily in favour of Hong Kong. On the other hand, I suspect that, apart from certain specific cases where visas have been refused for personal reasons, the Hong Kong Government may be unwilling to permit too great a number of visits from East European countries at a time when relations between Peking and Moscow are poor. The result is a brake on the development of trade between Hong Kong and this part of the world, combined with a certain amount of annoyance with this Embassy, who can do no more than act as postman.

3. I can only ask that the Hong Kong Government, with their own commercial interests in mind, should look as sympathetically

It as possible at requests for visas from Hungarian nationals. may be relevant to add that Hungary enjoys correct relations with China, with whom she does a certain amount of trade. This may perhaps help to reduce the difficulty from Hong Kong's standpoint.

Cc:

Yours ever

Richard (R E Parsons)

Chanceries: Moscow, Peking

Political Adviser, Hong Kong

13

HKK 345/2

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51 16 OCT 1978

RESIOTRY

DESK OF CER

INDEX

PA

Actian Ten

~ Thompson

CONFIDENTIAL

how important is Hungary (and indeed E. Ewrope in general) to Hong Kong as a market? I suspect very marginal -in which case it is presumably not liked to be worth Hong Kong's relaxing the's hard line on visas for Hungarians. But do they not in fact visas to people with gemine business grant reasons for going to Hong Kong? Please doult a reply explain, de background i・ 13/10