CONFIDENTIAL
Chinese Visa Office in Hong Kong
Background
13. Chinese Visa Office opened in Hong Kong on 25 November 1981. Establishment approved by Ministers in 1979 on understanding that
would only handle visa work. Agreed Memoranda setting out terms of reference exchanged in Peking in September 1981.
at Annex A)
Function
(Copy attached
14. Office not representative one and does not have consular status
but part of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and headed by a diplomat.
Political and other contacts continue to be handled by New China
News Agency (NCNA).
Privileges
15. Certain privileges (as set out in the Memoranda at Annex A)
granted to enable Office and staff to function without difficulty.
These in practice similar to those already provided informally for
NCNA.
16. During initial discussions Chinese pressed for additional
privileges, in particular: formal consular immunities and right to
issue passports. When became clear that these would not be forth- coming and that agreement was in jeopardy, they backed down. 17. Chinese may return to the charge. Indeed, Director of Visa
Office has recently raised again the question of issuing replacement
and renewed passports. Has been told is not one of points listed
in the Memoranda. Hong Kong Executive Council firmly against any
concession on this.
18. Further privileges over and above those set out in Memoranda would require special legislation in Hong Kong and give Office greater status than originally agreed with Peking. Would be seen in Hong Kong as giving Visa Office special status.
19. Legal problems could be resolved if Chinese were to agree to
Visa Office being designated Chinese Consulate-General or Consulate
in Hong Kong. However, would amount to their conceding that Hong Kong is foreign territory which is contrary to Chinese position over Hong Kong and would therefore need careful consideration.
Far Eastern Department
December 1981
CONFIDENTIAL
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