TNAG-1899-FCO40-2697-Future-of-Hong-Kong-briefing-1989 — Page 35

CONFIDENTIAL

CABINET : 22 JUNE

HONG KONG

THIS IS A COPY

THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN CLOSED UNDER

FOI EXEMPTION NO. 27.(...)

Mood in Hong Kong remains very nervous, although financial system continues to bear up well.

Growing calls for assurance of right of abode in UK for all 3.28 million BDTCS, even for entire 5.7 million population of Hong Kong. Strong feeling that any selective approach

would be divisive and inadequate.

Senior members of Executive and Legislative Councils,

Dame Lydia Dunn and Mr Allen Lee, currently in London lobbying on nationality issue. Will see Prime Minister and myself on

23 June.

Will make it clear that UK is unable to take on the

massive immigration commitment they are seeking, but that if

worst came to worst would have a duty to do all we could to

help; and in meantime we are looking at scope for flexibility

within existing rules.

Evidence of strong anti-British feeling, particularly over

nationality.

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Will put range of possible options for schemes to provide assurance of right of entry for settlement or citizenship to key people in public and private sector who might otherwise

leave Hong Kong.

Unlikely to be ready to make decision until after my visit to Hong Kong. Need to take account of impact in Hong Kong of announcement, given present mood.

Opinion on state of democracy in Hong Kong still in state of flux. But clear that events in Peking have politicised

Hong Kong (eg erection of replica of Statue of Liberty monument). Growing calls for a Bill of Rights for Hong Kong (which we were Lorking out anyway)

at

CONFIDENTIAL

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