CTWAFJ (2)
SECRETARY OF STATE'S BREAKFAST MEETING WITH LORD CARRINGTON,
7 MARCH 1989
HONG KONG
Points to make
(a) General
Public and Parliamentary interest in Hong Kong currently at high
level.
Foreign Affairs Committee enquiry
House of Lords debate on nationality (14 March)
Vietnamese boat people
But have good
Recent spate of unfavourable media coverage. story to tell (Joint Declaration, Basic Law, booming economy).
Firmly committed to full implementation of Joint Declaration.
No question of HMG reneging on its commitment to Hong Kong.
(b) Passports/Nationality
that
Very sensitive issues in Hong Kong. There is resentment British nationals in Hong Kong do not enjoy right of abode in UK.
But this is not a new issue. Goes back over 25 years to 1962 Commonwealth Immigrants Act. Not question of discriminating against Hong Kong. Result of our global immigration policy.
Unrealistic to contemplate changing Immigration and Nationality laws to give 3 1/4 million Hong Kong Chinese right of abode in UK.
Convinced best way forward now is not to undermine Joint Declaration by actively encouraging Hong Kong people to emigrate: would be interpreted as lack of confidence in Hong Kong's future.
MAKE
POINTS TO
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