TNAG-2021-FCO40-2883-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Hungary-1990 — Page 5

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CONFIDENTIAL

Hong Kong Special Branch has also been reluctant to give greater scope to Soviet and East European intelligence agencies,

4. As a result of this long-standing policy, there are at present no Missions from Communist (or former Communist) countries in Hong Kong, apart from a Cuban

Consulate-General, which was established before Castro came to power, and a very small Vietnamese office, which has no

consular status.

PUBLIC RECORDS ACT 1958 SECTION 3 (4) OF THE

IN THE DEPARTMENT UNDER THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN RETAINED

THIS IS A COPY

5. In the light of developments in Eastern Europe (including the elections held in Hungary on 25 March, with a second round on 8 April) the arguments for maintaining a restrictive policy are fast being undermined, to the extent that they are still valid at all. There is much to be said for establishing the most comprehensive foreign representation possible in Hong Kong before 1997. Given the rapidly expanding trade links between the emerging Eastern European democracies and Hong Kong's neighbours and competitors, particularly South Korea, a further relaxation seemed to be in Hong Kong's economic interests.

6.

On 10 April the Hungarians formally asked for agreement in principle to their establishing a Hungarian Consular Mission in Hong Kong, although in subsequent discussions it became clear that whilst their preference was for a Consular Mission they would "settle" for a trade office, which could be either an office of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce or an office established by a Hungarian Enterprise. Hong Kong reported that they would be content with either and commented that it would be also acceptable for an unofficial office of this sort to have a role in facilitating visas for Hong Kong people wishing to visit Hungary. It has been agreed by FCO that the non-official nature of a Hungarian

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CONFIDENTIAL