218.
GRS 600
UNCLASSIFIED
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 2367
OF 30095OZ OCTOBER 35
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
HKK
040/28.
MIPT : HONG KONG AGREEMENT : RESTRICTED: DISCUSSIONS ON RIGHT OF ABODE ENDORSEMENTS IN BN(0) PASSPORTS.
TEXT OF HONG KONG STANDARD REPORT ON 25 OCTOBER IS AS FOLLOWS
BEGINS.
*HEADING : CONTROVERSY OVER NEW PASSPORTS AND IDS......
TOP TEAM FOR TALKS IN CHINA.
A TEAM OF SENIOR OFFICIALS WILL LEAVE FOR BEIJING NEXT MONTH TO DISCUSS THE CONTROVERSIAL NEW PASSPORT AND IDENTITY CARD ISSUE.
THE TALKS IN THE CHINESE CAPITAL WILL BE HELD BY THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP FROM NOVEMBER 26 TO 29.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WILL COMPRISE OFFICIALS FROM THE SECURITY BRANCH, THE IMMIGRATION AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
IT IS WIDELY BELIEVED THAT THE DELEGATION WILL INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE CORE GROUP WHICH WENT TO LONDON IN JULY TO DISCUSS THE DRAFT ORDER-IN-COUNCIL WITH BRITISH OFFICIALS.
THE GROUP INCLUDED THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE SECURITY BRANCH, MRS REGINA IP, MR STEPHEN KUO OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, THE ACTING LAW DRAFTSMAN, MR DAVID LITTLE, AND MR RICHARD HOARE OF THE GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH.
SOURCES SAID YESTERDAY THAT AN INITIAL APPROACH HAD BEEN MADE TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT OVER THE PARTICIPATION OF A SPECIAL HONG KONG DELEGATION IN THE DIPLOMATIC BODY.
IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE TWO GOVERNMENTS ARE BEING HELD IN SECRET AT THIS STAGE.
>
CHINESE SOURCES CLAIM THAT IT IS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS'' TO SEND ITS. EXPERTS ON NATIONALITY ISSUES BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITIES INVOLVED.
THE STANDARD HAS MANAGED TO PIECE TOGETHER THE MEETING'S AGENDA WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE QUESTION OF HOW TO OVERCOME SOME THORNY ISSUES INVOLVING THE ISSUE OF NEW IDENTITY CARDS WHICH WILL STATE THE HOLDER'S RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG AND ITS VALIDITY BEYOND
1997.
ALSO TO BE TRONED OUT IS THE QUESTION OF WHO WILL BE THE ISSUING AUTHORITY.
/SOURCES SAID.
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