TNAG-1105-FCO40-1355-Detention-of-Hong-Kong-British-passport-holders-in-China-1981 — Page 4

=ག མ་ ལྡ

CONFIDENTIAL

Some do on principle.

4.

You also make the point that very few long Kong Chinese travel to China on Hong Kong British

This passports even if they are entitled to do so. is correct.

Sir Y K Kan, when he accompanied the Governor on an official visit to China in 1979 and later made a further official trade visit in 1980, is a case in point. But there is no incentive for ordinary people to emulate this. Using a British passport means obtaining a visa, besides possible hassle at the border about why the bearer uses this document and not the Chinese

The latter is "return permit" (hui xiang zheng). valid for multiple entry without a visa. Naturally the vast majority of people take the easier option.

сс

(D C Wilson)

M W Atkinson Esq MBE Peking

Hong Kong & General Department FCO

Migration and Visa Department FCO

Consular Department

FCO

Nationality and Treaty Department

FCO

CONFIDENTIAL