CONFIDENTIAL
best to make
arrival.
as regards senior personnel matters after my
Q.
Where do you
stand on the question of nationality?
A.
Do you
think Britain has a moral obligation towards the people of Hong Kong in
respect of nationality? Do you believe HMG
should grant entry for settlement for those who cannot live under Chinese sovereignty?
I
The key question in this field is, I think, to build a Hong
Kong in which people will
will be happy and proud to live. believe that the arrangements about right of abode, passports and so on made in the Joint Declaration are very good. And I
think it was generally accepted in Hong Kong that the
arrangements made last year in the Nationality Order in
Council, together with the assurances given by the Government about what would happen if, contrary to all our expectations,
people came under pressure at some time in the future to
leave Hong Kong, constituted a broadly acceptable package.
Q.
A.
What progress has been made so far in securing international
acceptance of the new BN(0) passport?
the
The diplomatic initiative to explain the new passport to
other countries is going well. So far, six countries
United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Spain and
have stated publicly that they will recognise the BN (0) passport. Many others, who have not yet reacted
publicly, have responded positively at official level.
Switzerland
www
Q.
Who will be taking your
be taking your place as
place as leader of the British side
in the JLG?
A.
No decision has yet been taken on this. I expect that an
announcement will be made before long.
CONFIDENTIAL
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