TNAG-1097-FCO40-1347-Chinese-visa-office-in-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 75

(Translation)

A

DRAFT MEMORANDUM

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 liongkong 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 llongkong orally agreed on

9 August 1979 that the Chinese side was to set up in

Hongkong 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 Hongkong, it will enjoy the following privileges:

a. exemption from taxes on its revenue (e.g. Visa fees);

b. the right to use cypher;

c. exemption from taxes on salaries or emoluments of its

China-based officials and staff members;

d. courier service to be exempt from search;

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 proposed Visa Office

in Hongkong are based on the understanding that:

1. It will be known as the Hongkong Visa Office of the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic

of China

هاشم

Page 75Page 76