TNAG-1567-FCO40-2132-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 150

E.R.

HONG KONG GOVERNMENT

5. On 30 April the Chief Secretary (Sir David Akers-Jones)made a statement to

the Legislative Council, the terms of which had been agreed with FCO and Home

Office officials. In it he said "Public reaction in the past few days indicates

the warm welcome given by the community to HMG's reply to the first two requests".

He concluded by saying "It is gratifying that after long and serious consideration

of members representations which reflected the strong feelings of the community,

HMG has agreed to two of their requests and has given an assurance in respect of

the non-Chinese BDTCs". The GIST (Annex C) reports him as describing the reference

to the minorities as giving a "positive assurance".

6.

In his personal Telegram No.1303 (Annex D) to Mr Hum, FCO, the Governor

expressed his personal view that Legco would not now press the ethnic minorities

case "with any vigour". This cannot of course be quoted publicly.

THE HONG KONG MEDIA

7. Telegrams Nos.1233, 1254 and 1255 (Annexes E, F and G) report media reaction.

8. Telegram No.1233 reports the immediate factual coverage. The Chinese language

press gave prominence to the two requests granted; the English language press gave

prominence to the rejection of the non-ethnic minority request.

9. Telegram No.1254 reports press editorial and commentary. The Home Secretary

may wish to note particularly the views of one Chinese language paper that the

assurance to the ethnic minorities casts doubts on HMG's confidence in the future

of Hong Kong, and that HMG had not really solved the long-term nationality question

of the minorities. On the other hand, Telegram No.1255 reports another Chinese

language editorial which recognised that the ethnic minorities' request was

"inconsistent with a basic principle of the 1981 Act."

THE INDIAN REACTION

10.

Telegram No.1255 (Annex G) also covers press comments on the Indian reactions.

The Home Secretary will wish to note the Indians' threat to take legal action

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