TNAG-1097-FCO40-1347-Chinese-visa-office-in-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 121

CONFIDENTIAL

In the course of several meetings between British

and Chinese representatives on matters relating to the

proposed Visa Office of the NCA of the PRC in Hong Kong,

the following understanding was reached.

(1)

(ii)

The British (authorities in Hong Kong have agreed

many will that the Chinese, side should set up in Hong Kong a Visa Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The office will be called the Hong Kong Visa

Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of

the People's Republic of China.

(iii)

(iv)

To ensure the smooth functioning of the Visa

Office, the office, its China-based staff and

their dependents will enjoy privileges and

immunities as in the attached draft legislation.

(These are subject to the passing of the

appropriate legislation by the Hong Kong

Legislative Council.) These privileges and

immunities do not apply to locally engaged staff.

will not be

The Visa Office is not a representative office of

the People's Republic of China. Its functions

will be limited to the issuing of visas. It

will not issue passports nor carry out consular

functions.

/contd.

CONFIDENTIAL