TNAG-0910-FCO40-1120-Policy-on-visas-and-entry-certificates-in-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 38

CONFIDENTIAL

3.

It is not exactly clear what Mr Cheng means by suggesting that the Anglo-Taiwan Trade Committee should at least be able to "vet" visa applications. In theory there would be no

objection to applications being sent through the Committee, or

to the Committee's attaching letters to applications, confirming the nature and purpose of the visit. But all decisions would still have to be taken in Hong Kong; and it is unlikely that the Committee would be ready to take on this additional task on a regular basis, if no extra authority was vested in them, nor

would it save time.

4.

However there is no reason for the Foreign and

Commonwealth Office to object to Mr Cheng's second suggestion, that a commercial team should visit Taiwan, or that this should include a businessman or politician who had previously served with the FCO. (It would of course be made clear that he was

not travelling in any diplomatic capacity.) On the contrary,

The Chinese

we are keen to develop our trade with Taiwan. Government themselves are ready to trade with Taiwanese firms and have no objection to others doing so, so long as this

includes no hint of official recognition.

But the FCO does

not need to be, and should not be, involved with the despatch

of a commercial team.

►

If Mr Cheng wants advice on the

promotion of trade with Taiwan, he should get in touch with the Department of Trade. But there are no Government funds available to support visits by commercial delegations to Taiwan; Mr Cheng would have to find these from Taiwanese or

business resources.

5.

Migration and Visa Dept, Hong Kong and General Dept,

and the Department of Trade concur.

16 August 1979

*cc:

Mr Qua@trill HKGN Mr Sh herd MVD

Mr Al

CRE4 DOT

J.T. was field.

J T Masefield

Far Eastern Dept

F