TNAG-1281-FCO40-1632-Chinese-visa-office-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 109

TOP COPY

CONFIDENTIAL

GPS 110

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG 210245Z JUL 33

TELEGRAM NUMBER 1041 OF 21 JULY 1933

HAKK 349/1

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

22 JULI 83

TO PRIORITY FCO

INFO PRIORITY PEKING (

59

DESK OFFICE

INDEX

YOUR TELSNOS 434, 435′ AND 443′′ AND PEKING TELNO 675: CHINESE VISA OFFICE IN HONG KONG.

لله

}

WE HAVE NO DIFFICULTY WITH THE DRAFT UNDERSTANDING IN YOUR TELNO 435. ON PARA 2(11) IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN OUR INTENTION TO EXEMPT THE VISA OFFICE'S PREMISES AND THE RESIDENCE OF ITS DIRECTOR FROM TAXATION, AND THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITH, OR WITHOUT LEGISLATION. THE PROBLEM HAS NEVER ARISEN, BECAUSE THE VISA OFFICE RENTS OFFICE SPACE FROM NCNA AND ALL ITS STAFF LIVE IN THE NCNA BUILDING. BUT THERE ARE INDICATIONS THAT THIS MIGHT NOT BE A PERMANENT ARRANGEMENT. THE THE SQUARE BRACKETS COULD THEREFORE BE REMOVED FROM PARA 2(11).

2. PARA 5 CAUSES US NO DIFFICULTY. IN PRACTICE, THIS WILL MEAN EXEMPTION FROM FIRST REGISTRATIONS TAX AND ROAD TAX ON VEHICLES AND EXEMPTION FROM DUTY ON ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND PETROL, HONG KONG'S ONLY DUTIABLE COMMODITIES.

YOUDE

LIMITED

HKD

NTD

FED

P + CD

MR DONALD

LORD NG LENNOX

COPIES TO:

MR WHOMERSLEY

MR BURROWS

LEGAL ADVISER:

CONFIDENTIAL

TAS TELEGRAM

WAS NOT ADVANCED

(61)

NTRY

Taken