TNAG-1036-FCO40-1286-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 125

CONFIDENTIAL 4

At the close

of 1972, following the exchange of Ambassadors between London

and Peking, contact was opened between the Governor and the

Head of the NCNA office, as the senior Chinese official in

Hong Kong. The Political Adviser and his staff are now in regular communication with NCNA on a wide range of matters, including water supplies, train services and immigration from

between the Hong Kong and Chinese Governments.

China.

11. Oral agreement was reached in August 1979 that China

This was would set up a Visa Office of the MFA in Hong Kong. on the understanding that it would confine its activities to

the issue of visas, that it was not to be construed as a representative office of the Chinese Government, and that its

establishment would not affect the functions of the NCNA

office.

agreed.

Final arrangements for the office are still to be

CONFIDENTIAL