MAXACZ
INTERNATIONAL SOLUTION NOW?
Aware of proposals for international guarantee for all Hong Kong people. But do not believe that this would be a viable way forward in present circumstances.
Must distinguish between armaggeden scenario and situation we are in now. At present there is no emergency in Hong Kong. Whatever action Chinese government have taken in Peking, they have done nothing to threaten Hong Kong. 1997 is still 8 years away.
Other countries have their own immigration commitments. Doubt
if other countries would be able to make a commitment of the order
of magnitude necessary to accommodate the entire population of Hong
Kong.
Nevertheless some countries are already taking significant
numbers of Hong Kong people for settlement. Around 45,000 left Hong
Kong last year: about half went to Canada (family reunion, business
and investors programme, individuals with skills in short supply),
about 12,000 to the United States (majority with close family
connections) and about 8,000 to Australia (family reunion, skilled
workers, business migrants with capital).
WHAT IF HONG KONG PEOPLE SEEK POLITICAL ASYLUM IN UK?
Difficult to forecast exact circumstances in which people might
claim political asylum after 1997.
Of course our objective is to ensure that Joint Declaration is
fully respected. In that event people would not need to apply for political asylum.
But if Hong Kong people did feel need to seek political asylum, each case would be judged on its merits.
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