TNAG-1097-FCO40-1347-Chinese-visa-office-in-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 48

REVISED DRAFT MEMORANDUM

Hier 349/1

RACOVIA 3 2520

0 4 SEP1981

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

73

مل

PA

Action Taken

t

q

दिल नक

I. The Chinese and British representatives held

talks in London and Beijing from 1980 to 1981 on matters relating to the proposed Visa Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong and reached the following understanding.

1.

In order to meet the growing need for economic, trade, tourist, cultural and other exchanges, the Chinese side and the British authorities in Hong Kong orally agreed on 9

August 1979 that the Chinese side was to set up in Hong Kong a Visa Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of

China.

2. To ensure the smooth functioning of the said Visa Office in Hong Kong, it will enjoy the

following privileges:

a.

exemption from taxes on its revenue (eg Visa

fees);

b. the right to use cypher;

C.

exemption from taxes on salaries or emoluments

of its China-based officials and staff members;

courier service to be exempt from search;

d.

e.

the premises, documents and archives to be

exempt from search;

f. the China-based officials and their dependents

not to be liable to arrest or detention.

II.

The above arrangements for the propose Visa Office in Hong Kong are based on the following understandings:

1. It will be known as the Hong Kong Visa Office

/of