TNAG-1387-FCO40-1835-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-citizenship-1986 — Page 234

CONFIDENTIAL UK EYES

From: T A Woolley Sec(0)(C) MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

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Main Building Whitehall London SW1A 2HB

Telephone: (Direct Dialling) 01-218 6272/12

(Switchboard)

01-218 9000

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JP Emery Esq

Nationality Division

Home Office

HKK HRR 040/33.

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

11 DEC 1985

Your reference

Our reference

D/Sec(0)(C)/6/7/5

Date

9-December 1985

Dear Mr Emening,

DIS

INDEX

PA

Cor

NATIONALITY ORDER IN COUNCILY HONG KONG CHINESE SERVING IN HM FORCES

1.

Thank you for your letter of 21 November in which you asked MOD's approval of your proposed lines to take on the nationality status and future of Hong Kong Chinese serving in HM Forces.

2.

I am generally content with your suggestions at paragraphs 5(a) and 5(6). However, I would prefer not to volunteer the existence of a study into the future of the garrison as this might give rise to expectations of an early announcement about our plans for a rundown in force levels between now and 1997, which is not currently envisaged. I should therefore prefer the line to be amended to read

in the context of our continuing discussions with the Hong Kong Government on the future of the garrison"

11

3. I am not certain of the wisdom of making quite so bold a statement as that contained in paragraph 5(c). As a statement of fact it is unobjectionable, since the personnel concerned are indeed employed on a contractual basis by the individual ships and not by HMG. Equally, this arrangement could, therefore, logically continue beyond 1997. However, while I appreciate that a statement to this effect might strengthen your hand in deflecting possible criticisms over lack of concern on HMG's part about the employment prospects for these personnel, I do think that we ought

to be cautious in assuming Chinese acquiescence in such an arrangement post 1997. China may well have political objections to her citizens serving in the ships of foreign navies. I therefore, suggest that you delete the central section of your paragraph 5(c), from " and there is no reason.." to "However,.

The last sentence should

be amended in line with my proposed change to 5(a) set out above.

Copy to: NMT

HAH 040 Sec (NS) нни очоли

CM(CG)

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY PL(SHP)

16 DEC 1985 FCO(HKD)—

DES · OFFICER

HEL, TRY

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PA

Action Taken

Yours sincerely,

Trevor Woolley

CONFIDENTIAL UK EYES