TNAG-1602-FCO40-2198-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1987 — Page 174

to

Republic of China may either be maintained or changed semi-official missions.

States not recognised by the People's Republic

China can only establish governmental institutions.

of

non-

The United Kingdom may establish a Consulate General in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

3.4 Annex I Section XIV

"The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government may apply immigration controls on entry, stay in and departure from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by persons from foreign states and regions."

4

Issues for Consideration

HKSAR Government Overseas Staff

4.1

4.2

It was suggested that HKSAR overseas offices should only be staffed by officers appointed by the HKSAR Government.

Status of Government Overseas Offices and the Government Officers working in them

i) It was suggested that the government overseas offices and

the

government officers working

in them should have diplomatic status. This would mean that China would have to seek from the countries concerned the necessary recognition HKSAR Government overseas offices and officers.

The Basic Law should specify that China would seek such diplomatic status for government officers the namelist

of which will be submitted by the HKSAR Government.

The Basic Law should also specify that China should seek sovereign status for the premises of the HKSAR Government Overseas offices.

ii) Another view is that there is ΓΙΟ need for China to seek this

status if the HKSAR can do this on its own -

4.3

Status of overseas offices/officers of the Trade Development Council and the Tourist Association

i) It was suggested that the Trade Development council and the Tourist Association overseas offices should be treated as private enterprises in the sense that they need only be responsible to the Trade Development Council and the Tourist

Association.

ii) It was suggested that the present arrangement for the

offices and the officers working in them should continue.