TNAG-1097-FCO40-1347-Chinese-visa-office-in-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 144

CONFIDENTIAL

20A

Record of sofs's talk

with Cuese Foreign Minister on 2.4.57

1.4

Original at: HKC ozdz

This Copy for:

Information only/Action on Para(s)

HICIC 349|1

зна

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51

1 8 MAY 1981

DESK OFFICER

REPRE

the present system of granting a 48 hour vis did not give

Action Taken

citizens time to complete their personal affairs in Hong Kong and contrasted with the treatment given to other Chinese descent who held passports of other countries who could

stay in Hong Kong for 7 days. Lord Carrington commented that

the problem probably derived from the fear of illegal

immigration.

Huang Hua replied that as with illegal immigration

we would solve this problem through cooperation. Lord Carrington

said that he was grateful for what the Chinese had done on the question of illegal immigration.

Chinese Visa Office Hong Kong

See

54

23.

Song Zhiguang outlined the background to the agreement on the setting up of a Chinese visa office in Hong Kong. The

office would be an agency of the Consular Department of the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its only job would be to handle

visas. It would have no other responsibilities.

As it was

an agency of the Foreign Ministry it should enjoy the treatment

of an official agency with diplomatic immunity and other

privileges. But Hong Kong had refused to grant diplomatic

privileges to the Visa Office or exemption of taxes, exemption from examination and infringement. Song Zhiguang added that

agreement had been reached a year ago and the following

problems needed to be solved before the office could begin functioning:

(i) the Visa Office and officials should be protected by

the Hong Kong authorities from any infringement; (ii) properties and goods for official use should be exempt

from tax.

Song said that agreement had been reached on other aspects of the problem.

24. Sir Edward Youde confirmed that during discussions on the

establishment of a Visa Office agreement had been reached on

a number of issues. But the problem was that the Governor of

Hong Kong had power to do certain things, but others he could not do without legislation. The arrangements made so far were

CONFIDENTIAL

/the