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question. But if we get to the point where ethnic Chinese who owe their Portuguese citizenship solely to their connection with Macao are getting into Britain by the backdoor, we shall be left with an extremely difficult hand to play in Hong Kong.
7. I was also pressed on the Section 4 (5) provisions of the British Nationality Act, and the paltry numbers of Hong Kong Civil Servants in whose favour the Home Secretary has exercised his discretionary powers. This rankles in Hong Kong, and is taken to mean that we do not value the service of those whose applications for citizenship are unsuccessful. But here our policy is perfectly reasonable (if strict).
8.
One more immigration issue arose on which I think we can and really must act. It concerns a maximum number of 28 old and frail wives and widows of war veterans, who have appealed via OMELCO for the right to citizenship or, failing that, to settlement. OMELCO are letting me have details. I shall then ' impress upon Douglas Hurd and Tim Renton the disproportionate damage which would be inflicted if we stone-wall on such an obviously deserving, and finite, problem.
9. These issues aside, the visit was a good one. I found the Governor and his team in excellent form; so too the FCO people working in Hong Kong in various operations (almost all of whom I met at a party at the Trade Commission). I spent a most constructive morning with the Composite Signals Organisation people stationed around Hong Kong island: their work is of phenomenally high complexity and importance, and I was grateful for the chance to gain some insight into it. I also visited the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force who are in good heart, and gearing themselves for the major expansion which lies before them.
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10. I had good sessions with EXCO and OMELCO (reported separately). During the latter, and in meetings with Urban and Regional Counsellors, I met some of the combative would-be politicians who are already beginning to make the life of the Governor and his officials more complicated than it used to be. They may well come to make our life difficult too. Lydia Dunn is doing a terrific job in succession to Sir SY (whom I met on the site of the planned University of Science and Technology at Junk Bay): both were very pleased with their recent awards, which were richly deserved.
11.
A full and enjoyable programme, for which I am once again greatly indebted to David and Natasha Wilson. There is so much positive in Hong Kong and in our relationship with it; if only (that phrase again....) we could set aside the gripes and grumbles and convince Hong Kong people that, on the key issues, we are actually on their side.
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