TNAG-2158-FCO40-3078-Hong-Kong-nationality-package-Chinese-views-1990 — Page 125

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG

CONFIDENTIAL

340/1

HKC3401 RECEIVED IN REGISTRY 21 FEB 1990

REGISTRY Action Taken

TO PRIORITY FCO

DESK OFFICER

TELNO 610

INDEX

PA

OF 16123OZ FEBRUARY 90

INFO PRIORITY PEKING UKREP JLG HONG KONG

TUP CC Ɑ DIST

Rar

(45)

157675

MDLIAN 9193

(NB also refs avelaf)

Nat: Chinose

familz

NATIONALITY SCHEME: CHINESE

YOUR TELNO 239 AND PEKING TELNO

VIEWS

36

SUMMARY

1 WE BELIEVE OUR MAIN OBJECTIVE SHOULD BE TO PERSUADE THE CHINESE TO ACCEPT AS FOREIGN NATIONALS TOUT COURT BENEFICIARIES OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME (AND SIMILAR SCHEMES BY OTHER GOVERNMENTS). THE ACTION ALREADY TAKEN BY THE CHINESE SIDE, AND COMMENTS MADE BY CHINESE OFFICIALS, SUGGEST THAT, IN THE PRESENT POLITICAL CLIMATE, THEY WILL REACT NEGATIVELY TO ANY SUGGESTIONS FROM US DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE THIS OBJECTIVE. WE THEREFORE CONCLUDE THAT IT WOULD BE BEST TO PLAY MATTERS LONG, AVOIDING A DIRECT AND POSSIBLY CONFRONTATIONAL APPROACH AT THIS STAGE. IN THE SHORT TERM WE SEE MERIT IN EXPLAINING FURTHER THE PURPOSE AND CONTENTS OF THE UK PACKAGE TO THE CHINESE, IN THE HOPES OF PERSUADING THEM TO REFRAIN FROM FURTHER ADVERSE COMMENT OR RETALIATORY MEASURES WHEN THE ENABLING LEGISLATION IS INTRODUCED.

DETAIL

2. WE WERE GRATEFUL FOR THE VIEWS IN TURS IN THE LIGHT OF WHICH WE HAVE BEEN GIVING FURTHER CAREFUL THOUGHT TO THE WAY FORWARD. WE HAVE DISCUSSED WITH UKREP JLG AND THE FOLLOWING REPRESENTS OUR

JOINT VIEW.

OBJECTIVE

3. WE HAVE REVIEWED THE ASSESSMENT AND POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PARAS. 3 AND 4 OF OUR TELNO 256 AND BELIEVE THAT THEY CONTINUE TO BE VALID. WE ALSO REMAIN OF THE VIEW (PARA. 6 OF OUR TELNO 256) THAT OUR MAIN OBJECTIVE SHOULD BE TO PERSUADE THE CHINESE TO RECOGNISE AS FOREIGN NATIONALS PERSONS WHO HAVE ACQUIRED FOREIGN CITIZENSHIP IN HONG KONG, WITHOUT HAVING SETTLED ABROAD, AND WHO WISH TO BE REGARDED AS FOREIGN NATIONALS WHEN IN CHINA AND THE FUTURE SAR. WE DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE DIFFICULTIES IN ACHIEVING THIS OBJECTIVE. NEVERTHELESS WE BELIEVE OUR STRATEGY OVER THE NEXT

1

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