TNAG-1097-FCO40-1347-Chinese-visa-office-in-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 117

布政司署

香港下亞畢道

SCR 1/2071/79

* OUR REF:

來函檔號 YOUR REF

RD Clift Esd

CONFIDENTIAL

Hong Kong & General Department

F C O

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31

GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT

LOWER ALBERT ROAD

HONG KONG

4

May, 1981

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HICK 34411

RECEVIC PARTY NO. 51

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MAY 1981

MEK OLACER

WDEX

PA

REGISTAY Action Taken

CHINESE VISA OFFICE

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Following what was said about the Chinese Visa Office by Huang Hua and Song Zhiguang during Lord Carrington's visit to Peking, and after further discussion here with Teddy Youde, we have been reconsidering the whole question of what to do next.

2.

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Thus far our position on the Visa Office has been as follows: (i) We saw political advantage in the Chinese being able to issue visas here. This is mostly of benefit to them, but would also help to develop Hong Kong as a point of entry to China. (ii) When the question of privileges was brought up we thought we had met all legitimate practical needs by what we suggested. (iii) We saw disadvantage in legislating to provide formal or additional privileges. To do so risks giving the establishment of the Visa Office greater prominence than we wished. It also has implications for the perceived and actual role of NCNA, as well as public reaction to what might well be seen as a major step towards official representation.

3.

After what was said in Peking we are now faced with a new situation. Both Teddy Youde (Peking tel to Hong Kong no 24) and the embassy (Peking tel to Hong Kong no 31) advise that the Chinese are not likely to accept the conditions for setting up a Visa Office which we have so far suggested. have no reason to disagree with this assessment.

We

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4.

We cannot go any further towards the Chinese position. without legislation. One option is now to stick firmly to what we have already said and refuse to contemplate passing special legislation to provide the additional privileges and immunities the Chinese seek. This would have the merit of consistency. It would, however, leave a bone of contention between China and Hong Kong which the Chinese would doubtless continue to gnaw at on every possible occasion. This would do some damage to our otherwise fairly smooth relationship. Furthermore, our ability to stand firm has been considerably

/contd.

Q

CONFIDENTIAL