TNAG-1478-FCO40-2010-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1986 — Page 22

12.

MANY PEOPLE, MOREOVER, HAVE RETURNED OR WILL RETURN TO HONG HONG AFTER QUALIFYING FOR FOREIGN CITIZENSHIP, SECURE IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE AN ESCAPE ROUTE, IF AND WHEN THEY MIGHT NEED TO USE IT EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER 1997. THIS ''WAIT AND SEE'' ATTITUDE IS PARTICULARLY PREVALENT AMONG THE MONEYED MIDDLE AND UPPER CLASSES. THE POORER SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY WITHOUT THE MEANS TO SECURE A BOLT-HOLE APPEAR GENERALLY RESIGNED TO WHAT THE FUTURE AND THE SAR GOVERNMENT HAVE TO OFFER THEM.

ENDS

YOUDE

YYYY

HMLNAN 2821

LIMITED нка

NEWS.D

FED

PROTOCOL-D

PS

Mr. Wilson

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CONFIDENTIAL