TNAG-1081-FCO40-1331-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 177

A

£

Mr Jones, NTD

SECRET

HKR, 34d 1.

RECEIVED IN REARY NO ST

26 FEB 1981

DESK OFACER

INDEX

PA

REGISTRY Action Taken.

198

25/2

is

$

30.2.

P03013

NATIONALITY BILL:

1.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR DEPENDENCIES

92A)

I strongly support the points made by Mr Clift in his minute of 23 February, particularly as regards the implications of a separate Hong Kong citizenship for our relations with China. Any move in that direction would certainly raise questions in Chinese minds about our longer term objectives over Hong Kong. It could even raise the spectre of an 'independent' Hong Kong, which would touch on a very raw Chinese nerve (because of the Taiwan problem). Though such suspicions could no doubt be dispelled, the Chinese would certainly react adversely.

2.

As we draw nearer to 1997, it is essential that we should avoid moves which would be open to mis- interpretation and could only complicate our relations with China over Hong Kong.

выстри

RJT McLaren

Far Eastern Department

24 February 1981

copied to:

PS/Mr Luce

Mr Adams

Mr Clift, HKGD

SECRET