TNAG-1097-FCO40-1347-Chinese-visa-office-in-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 66

CONFIDENTIAL

(1) CONFIRM THAT IF THE OFFICE IS SET UP ON THIS BASIS IT WILL OPERATE INITIALLY AS IN THE BRITISH DRAFT MEMORANDUM OF 19 JUNE (IE SUCH MINIMAL TAXES AND DUTIES AS HAVE NOT BEEN EXEMPTED WILL BE PAID),

(11) SINCE CHINA-BASED MEMBERS OF THE VISA OFFICE, AND DEPENDENTS

FORMING PART OF THEIR HOUSEHOLDS, ARE TO BE GIVEN CERTAIN PRIVILEGES BY ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION WE NEED TO KNOW WHO THEY ARE. THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE SHOULD PROVIDE THE POLITICAL ADVISER WITH A FULL LIST ON 1 JANUARY AND 1 JULY AND NOTIFY CHANGES AS THEY OCCUR. THE NAME OF THE DIRECTOR SHOULD BE NOTIFIED TO AND AGREED IN ADVANCE BY THE FCO. (WE NEED NOT HOWEVER INSIST ON THE LATTER POINT IN THE ABSENCE OF LEGISLATION AND AN AGREED MEMORANDUM

AS IN WILSON'S LETTER TO CLIFT OF 4 MAY).√31

(111) CONFIRM OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT THE NCNA AND ITS DIRECTORS WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE NORMAL LOCAL CHANNEL OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE HONG KONG AND CHINESE AUTHORITIES ON ALL MATTERS EXCEPT THE

ISSUE OF VISAS.

(IV) SINCE THE VISA OFFICE IS NOT A CONSULATE I WILL NOT BE LISTED

IN THE HONG KONG LIST OF COMMISSIONERS, CONSULAR OFFICERS AND TRADE COMMISSIONERS. NOR WOULD IT BE APPROPRIATE TO USE OTHER CONSULAR SQMBOLS, E.G. CC PLATES.

4. IF YOU AGREE TO A RESPONSE ON THESE LINES I WOULD LIKE TO CONSULT EXCO BEFORE ACTION BY THE EMBASSY IS FINALLY APPROVED.

CATER

LIMITED

HK & GD

FED

MR DONALD

THIS TELEGRAM WAS NOT ADVANCED]

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