TNAG-1434-FCO40-1917-Hong-Kong-leading-personality-Sir-Yue-Kong-Pao--businessman-1986 — Page 169

JH1AKT (2)

CONFIDENTIAL

SIR Y K PAO'S VISIT TO BRITAIN: JUNE 1986

(e) HONG KONG: POSSIBLE APPLICATION FOR BRITISH

CITIZENSHIP BY MR LI KA-SHING

Background

Mr Li Ka-Shing is Hong Kong's biggest property tycoon

and a business associate of Sir Y K Pao. We believe he is

1.

one of a small number of

number of very wealthy Chinese businessmen

on whose behalf Mr Sandberg, Chairman of the Hong Kong and

Shanghai Bank, recently approached the Home Secretary and

the Prime Minister in the context of their wish to acquire

British citizenship. The Secretary of State discussed the

issue with the Home Secretary and the Prime Minister on 22

April. The Governor of Hong Kong has now given his firm

views (attached telegram).

2.

We understand the Home

the Home office will shortly be writing

to us seeking agreement to a draft letter to go to the Prime Minister. The Home Secretary will himself receive

Sir Y K on 11 June. At present there is nothing for the

Secretary of State to say on the substance of the issue.

of

3. Li Ka-Shing was named by the Hong Kong Insider Dealing

Tribunal report in April as having a high degree

culpability in insider dealing surrounding property

transactions completed in 1984.

CONFIDENTIAL