TNAG-0910-FCO40-1120-Policy-on-visas-and-entry-certificates-in-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 71

HKK 345/2

RECEIVED IN REGORY NO. 51

IN:

5 JUN1979

27

PA

Action Taken

DESK OFFICER

CONFIDENTIAL

Fel

to issue

Mr Murray

Murra

ISSUING OF VISAS FOR CHINA IN HONG KONG

Problem

1.

seemão

The New China News Agency (NCNA) have proposed that visas for f China should be issued in Hong Kong by an office to be called "The Hong Kong Visa Office of the Foreign Affairs Bureau of Guangdong Province". Should we agree?

38.

(૧૪ bile

14.

25

A

B

bd

Background and Argument

2. Mr Blaker approved my submission of 14 May recommending that The Chinese should be allowed to establish a visa-issuing office in Hong Kong. The Political Adviser conveyed this decision to the NCNA on 21 May. The NCNA Second Director said he did not think it would be appropriate for either the NCNA or the China Travel Service to act as a visa-issuing agency. Instead, he suggested the estab- lishment of an office to be called "The Hong Kong Visa Office of the Foreign Affairs Bureau of Guangdon Province" (Hong Kong telegram No 611).

3. The establishment in Hong Kong of what would amount to a sub-office of the Guangdong Foreign Affairs Bureau would be a new departure. But I agree with the Governor that we would not be compromising our position on official representation if we accepted the proposed title: the Visa Office would be responsible to a provincial authority in Canton; it would not be a central government

agency.

Recommendation

4.

I submit a draft telegram agreeing to the proposed title.

FED concur.

31 May 1979

CC FED

MVD

RJT McLaren

Hong Kong & General Department

CONFIDENTIAL