TNAG-1348-FCO40-1789-Visas-and-transit-arrangements-for-Chinese-nationals-visitin-1984 — Page 40

CONFIDENTIAL

5. COMMENT

THE CHINESE HAVE STILL NOT FILLED THE GAP, SINCE THERE REMAINS A CATEGORY OF PEOPLE COVERED BY THE AGREEMENT WHCM THE CHINESE WOULD NOT NECESSARILY ACCEPT BACK. HOWEVER THERE IS A STEP FORWARD. THE CHINESE MAINTAIN THAT THE ORIGINAL TEXT DOES NOT REFER TO PERSONS RESIDENT OUTSIDE CHINA, EVEN IF THEY HOLD ORDINARY CHINESE PASSPORTS. SINCE IN PRACTICE THE ATTITUDE OF THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES WOULD OF COURSE BE GOVERNED BY THEIR INTERPRETATION OF THE TEXT RATHER THAN OURS, THEY HAVE MADE A CONCESSION IN EXTENDING THIS PART OF THE AGREEMENT TO COVER PERSONS RESIDENT OUTSIDE CHINA PROVIDED THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO RETRN TO CHINA.

6. WE ARE DOUBTFUL IF THE CHINESE CAN BE PERSUADED TO DROP THE IR REQUIREMENT THAT PERSONS ORIGINALLY PESIDENT OUTSIDE CHINA MUST BE WILLING TO RETURN TO THE MAINLAND BEFORE THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES WOULD GUARANTEE TO ACCEPT THEM. HONG KONG WILL WISH TO CONSIDER, AS SUGGESTED IN OUR TUR, WHETHER THE REMAINING CATEGORY IS LIKELY TO BE BIG ENOUGH TO MAKE IT WORTH CONTINUING TO ARGUE.

EVANS

MINIMAL

FED HRD

THIS TELEGRAM WAS NOT ADVANCED

CONFIDENTIAL