TNAG-1281-FCO40-1632-Chinese-visa-office-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 171

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GR 160

CONFIDENTIAL

DESKBY 16040OZ

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG 163324Z MAY 83

TO IMMEDIATE PEKING

TELEGRAM NUMBER 232 OF 16 MAY

INFO F C O

2

24

YOUR TELNOS 43, 44 AND 47: CHINESE VISA OFFICE

TOP COPY

HKCGD

HKK 349/1

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

10 MAY 1983

DESK CHAICER

INDEX

✓

REGISTRY Action Taken

WE AGREE THAT A BILL ALONG THE LINES SUGGESTED IN PARA 2 OF YOUR TELNO 43 WOULD IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES BE THE MOST CONVENIENT METHOD OF MAKING FORMAL PROVISION FOR PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES. THE FIRST DRAFT OF SUCH A BILL HAS BEEN PREPARED. THE FINAL DRAFT WOULD HAVE TO BE SUBMITTED TO EXCO BEFORE GOING TO LEGCO.

2. WE SHOULD PREFER TO WAIT UNTIL WORK ON THE BILL HAS PROGRESSED FURTHER BEFORE COMMENTING IN DETAIL ON THE DRAFT MEMORANDUM IN YOUR TELNO 44. WE ACCEPT THAT SOMETHING ON THESE LINES IS LIKELY TO BE NEEDED BUT THERE CAN OF COURSE BE NO QUESTION OF NEGOTIATING WITH THE CHINESE ABOUT THE TERMS OF OUR LEGISLATION.

3. IN THE MEANTIME. WE AGREE THAT YOU SHOULD SPEAK TO THE MFA ON THE LINES PROPOSED IN PARA 2 OF YOUR TELNO 47. YOU COULD ADD IF NECESSARY THAT WE WOULD PROPOSE TO ENACT LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD COVER THE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES ALREADY ACCORDED TO THE VISA OFFICE BY ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION AS WELL AS THOSE WHICH COULD ONLY BE GRANTED BY LEGISLATION.

YOUDE

LIMITED

FED

NTD

CONS.D

PCD

HK GD LEGAL ADV

PS/LORD BELSTEAD PS | PUS MR GIFFARD

HL DONALD

THIS TELEGRAM

}

1.

WAS NOT ADVANCED

CONFIDENTIAL

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