TNAG-1097-FCO40-1347-Chinese-visa-office-in-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 80

DRAFT MEMORANDUM

(Translation)

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 Hongkong 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 Hongkong 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;

or

emol

canexemption from taxes on salaries (emoluments of

its China-based officials and staff members;

d. courier service to be exempt from search;

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 proposed Visa Office in Hongkong are based on the understanding that:

B