TNAG-1626-FCO40-2240-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Macau-1987 — Page 66

From:

TH Carter

pa

Macan.

2/4

Date:

1 April 1987

се

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr Gordon, ECD (E) Mr Fletcher-Cooke, Mr Smith, HKD Chancery, Lisbon

34

RED

Mr Hollamby, SED

MR THOMAS' TALKS WITH THE PORTUGUESE POLITICAL DIRECTOR:

1.

MACAU

During their bilateral talks on 31 March, Mr Thomas raised with Mr Cutileiro the subject of Macau. Mr Thomas said the UK welcomed the initialling of the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration. The people of Hong Kong were drawing confidence from these arrangements, which they were studying closely.

2. Mr Thomas asked whether the Portuguese were considering any measures to deal with a possible influx of Macau residents into Portugal or the other EC countries. Mr Cutileiro replied that as far as he knew no such measures were under consideration. But the Joint Declaration had not fully resolved the nationality problems: the Chinese authorities did not permit dual nationality, although he understood that they would nevertheless allow Macanese to travel on their Portuguese passports for a period of time. Mr Cutileiro said he was unsighted on the precise details of the issue as it was outside his area of responsibility, but offered to do some research. Mr Thomas replied that we would ask our Embassy in Lisbon to approach the competent Portuguese authority to pursue this question.

3. I understand from Mr Gordon, to whom I am copying this minute, that instructions are being sent to Lisbon to take the action proposed.

Tit. Cartes ༦.༥.

TH Carter

PS/Political Director

CONFIDENTIAL