TNAG-0988-FCO40-1207-Policy-on-visas-and-entry-certificates-in-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 14

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CONFIDENTIAL

Davies, FED

HKCK 305/1

cc:

Mr Partridge, MVD

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51

15 OCT 1980

HONG KONG TRANSIT VISAS

DESK OFF. ER

INDEX

88

PA

RECISTRY

140

1. Peking telegram No 1667 is slightly alarming inasmuch as the Chinese MFA are clearly exercised over the alleged maltreatment of Chinese citizens detained when passing through Hong Kong on doubtful visas.

2. No doubt Hong Kong will reply in detail regarding the specific cases mentioned and this will hopefully satisfy the Chinese. However, neither the interests of Hong Kong or the UK will be served if this matter continues to irritate the Chinese, and I wonder whether there might be advantage, when HM Embassy returns to the charge, in inviting the Chinese to send an official from Peking to see the immigration procedures on the ground in Hong Kong?

3. We would of course have to be careful to avoid any impression that China was monitoring Hong Kong immigration procedures at the Hong Kong/Chinese border, but this should be got over by inviting a fairly senior official to make a one-off visit to see for himself what actually happens.

4. This may well be resisted by Hong Kong, and we would of course have to clear it with them first. There could also be objections from the UK domestic point of view if it were seen in any way as setting a precedent. In copying this minute to MVD, I am asking them to say whether other Governments have in the past been invited to witness UK immigration procedures as the result of complaints by Commonwealth Governments and whether they, in consultation with the Home Office, would see any objection in what is proposed in this case.

15 October 1980

P Morrice

Hong Kong and General Department K247

233 4381

CONFIDENTIAL