TNAG-1081-FCO40-1331-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 10

Public reaction to the Green and White Papers on British Nationality has initially been muted, probably mainly because leaders in the community did not wish to express publicly their concern and disquiet about the proposals. The publication of the Bill and further efforts to represent Hong Kong's case, including, in particular :

(a)

(b)

(c)

the visit made by Sir S. Y. CHUNG and Mr O.V. CHEUNG to London;

Sir Paul Bryan's speech in the Second Reading Debate and the publicity accorded in Hong Kong to it; and

the recent visit of Messrs. Lyons and Whitney,

have rekindled public and media interest in the issue which has continued.

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Although reaction at the grassroots level remains muted, considerable concern has been expressed by certain groups in private as well as on some public occasions (e.g. the TVB "Focus" programme broadcast on 18th February) about the implications of the Bill for Hong Kong, especially by :

(a)

the business community (who are concerned with the implications of the Bill as regards investors' confidence in .. the future of Hong Kong, the position of some of the expatriate staff employed by them, and the difficulties they may encounter on their frequent business trips abroad);

(b)

students (as regards opportunities for admission into the UK and third countries for further education);

(c)

educated young people (as regards the future of Hong Kong generally);

(d)

the Heung Yee Kuk (because of the substantial number of New Territories people in the UK); and

(e)

entrepreneurs and professionals upon whom Hong

Kong relies very considerably for economic develop- ment and stability.

G.S. 166

CONFIDENTIAL