TNAG-1333-FCO40-1765-Future-of-Hong-Kong-legislation-1985 — Page 197

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couriers, in maintaining contact with the Government

of the People's Republic of China and any Chinese diplo-

matic missions and consular posts wherever they

situated. The

are

diplomatic couriers will be provided

with official documents indicating their status and

the number of packages constituting the diplomatic

bag. The diplomatic bag may not be opened or detained.

In the performance of their functions, the diplomatic

couriers will be protected by the British authorities

in Hongkong. The diplomatic couriers will enjoy personal

inviolability and will not be liable to any form of

arrest or detention.

of

The Visa Office may designate special diplomatic

couriers. In such cases the preceding provisions this paragraph will also apply except that the special

diplomatic couriers will cease to enjoy the immunities

mentioned above as soon as they have delivered the diplomatic bag in their charge;

A

The British authorities in Hongkong will treat the officers of the Visa Office with due respect,

and will take all appropriate measures to prevent any

attack on their person, freedom or dignity. The officers

of the Visa Office and their dependents will not be subject to arrest or detention pending trial. The quali- fication contained in paragraph 3 of the British Memo-

randum of 19 June 1981 is withdrawn by the British

side;

5.

passports

Officers of the Visa Office holding diplomatic

will be immune from the jurisdiction of the

·