TNAG-1349-FCO40-1790-Chinese-visa-office-in-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 239

2. EXEMPTION FROM TAXATION ON THE PREMISES OF THE VIISA

OFFICE AND ON THE RESIDENCE OF THE OFFICER IN £-403:

3. THE VISA OFFICE MAY EMPLOY ALL APPROPRIATE MEANS OF

COMMUNICATION, HINCLUDING THE USE OF DIPLOMATIC COURIERS, HIN

MAINTAINING CONTACT WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S

REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND ANY CHINESE DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS AND CONSULAR

POSTS WHEREVER THEY ARE SITUATED. THE DIPLOMATIC COURIERS SHALL'

BE PROVIDED WITH OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS INDICATING THEIR STATUS AND

THE NUMBER OF PACKAGES CONSTITUTING THE DIPLOMATIC BAG. THE DIPL-

OMATIC BAG MAY NOT BE OPENED OR DETAINED. IN THE PERFORMANCE

OF THEIR FUNCTIONS, THE DIPLOMATIC COURIERS SHALL BE PROTECTED

BY THE BRITISH HONG KONG AUTHORITIES. THE DIPLOMATIC COURIERS

SHALL ENJOY PERSONAL INVIKOLABILITY AND SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO

ANY FORM OF ARREST OR DETENTION.

THE VISA OFFICE MAY DESIGNATE SPECIAL DIPLOMATIC COURIERS.

IN SUCH CASES THE PROVISIONS OF THE ABOVE PARAGRAPH OF

THIS ARTICLE SHALL 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 THEMR CHARGE:

4. THE BRITISH HONG KONG AUTHORINTHES SHALL TREAT THE

OFFICERS OF THE VISA OFFICE AND THEIR DEPENDENTS WITH DUE RESPECT,

AND SHALL TAKE ALL APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO PREVENT ANY ATTACK ON

THEIR PERSON, FREEDOM OR DIGNITY. THE OFFICERS OF THE VIIISA OFFICE

AND THEIR DEPENDENTS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT, TO ARREST OR DET-

ENTION PENDING TRIAL. THE QUALIFICATION CONTAINED IN PARAGRAPH 3

OF THE BRITÚSH MEMORANDUM OF 19 JUNE 1981 HS WITHDRAWN BY THE

BRITISH SHIDE:

5. THE OFFICERS OF THE VISA OFFICE SHALL BE IMMUNE FROM

JURISDICTION OF THE JUDICINAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITIES,

BUT THIS PROVISION SHALL NOT APPLY IN THE CASE OF CIVIL ACTION

WHICHS

(A) ARISES OUT OF A CONTRACT CONCLUDED BY AN OFFICER

FC040/1790 CONFIDENTIAL

I OF THE

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