TNAG-1097-FCO40-1347-Chinese-visa-office-in-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 24

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CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG 140452Z NOV 81

TO PRIORITY F C O

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TELEGRAM NUMBER 1825 OF 14 NOVEMBERTOP COPY

INFO PRIORITY PEKING

CHINESE VISA OFFICE IN HONG KONG

PA

cał

ZHAO ZHENKUI AND HIS STAFF ARRIVED IN HONG KONG LAST MONTH.

THEY ARE PLANNING TO OPEN FOR BUSINESS ON 25 NOVEMBER,

2. TODAY'S HONG KONG STANDARD CARRIES A SUBSTANTIALLY ACCURATE

REPORT ABOUT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE. PA RAISED THE MATTER WITH NCNA TODAY. IT WAS CLEAR THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE

FOR THE LEAK.

3. WE ARE TAKING THE FOLLOWING LINE IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES::

(A) IT IS TRUE THAT A VISA OFFICE OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA WILL OPEN SHORTLY.

(B) WE WELCOME THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS OFFICE WHICH WILL MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR THE GREATLY INCREASED NUMBERS OF TRAVELLERS

FROM HONG KONG TO CHINA.

(IF ASKED)

(C) THE VISA OFFICE'S FUNCTION IS LIMITED TO THE ISSUING OF VISAS.

(D) IT IS NOT A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF

CHINA. NOR IS IT A CONSULATE.

(E) THERE IS NO CHANGE IN THE ARRANGEMENT WHEREBY LOCAL LIAISON WITH

THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES IS MAINTAINED THROUGH THE POLITICAL ADVISER/NCNA CHANNEL.

THIS TELEGRAM

MACLEHOSE

LIMITED HK&GD

FED NEWS D

WAS NOT ADVANCED

PS FS/LPS

COFIES TO:-

PS/PUS

HONG KONG GOVT. OFFICE LONDON

MR DONALD

CONFIDENTIAL

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