TNAG-2082-FCO40-2963-Policy-on-visas-and-entry-certificates-in-Hong-Kong-1990 — Page 12

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CALL BY MR LAURENCE LEUNG

1.

Laurence Leung, Director of Immigration Hong Kong, called on the Head of MVD, Alan Montgomery, on 2 October. Mr Montgomery had called on Mr Leung during his visit to Hong Kong in May.

2. I thought you would be interested in the following points raised by Mr Leung:-

a) Visa Abolition Agreements

Mr Leung said that the Hong Kong Government had no plans to abolish visas for nationals of Hungary or Czechoslovakia although the aim is to improve the decision making period to a maximum of 10 days. Visas are no longer required for East German nationals and negotiations are proceeding with Argentina and South Africa with a view to permitting visa free access for their nationals for a 15 day visit.

b) Taiwan

Mr Leung raised the problem of how to handle difficult visa applications in Taiwan. He said that his department had expressed reluctance to cooperate: (i) because their workload would be increased and (ii) because of the sensitivities of the Taiwanese authorities. Mr Leung admitted that few visa applications fell into this difficult category so increased workload was not a particular factor. He said that should Hong Kong agree to take on these applications it must be made clear that it was at the specific request of the British authorities. Following a suggestion by Mr Montgomery that a trial period be instigated Mr Leung agreed to have a look at our request when he returns to Hong Kong, and undertook to let us know the outcome within the next 2 weeks.

c) Southern China

Mr Leung said that earlier this year the Hong Kong Government had agreed to accept visa applications from a further southern Chinese province Guangxi. He asked if we had any intention of opening entry clearance operations in Guangzhou or Shanghai. Mr Montgomery replied that this would involve political decisions but a further factor is that our policy worldwide is to centralise visa operations wherever possible.

a)

Nationality Package

Mr Leung said that he believed the nationality package would bring confidence and encourage people to stay in Hong Kong.

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