Possible points of difficulty
CHKC340
JUN 1990
China's Attitude will make Scheme Unworkable
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Line to Take
89(140) √30/4
Some Hon Members have suggested that as long as Peking's
attitude casts doubt on the validity of the British
passports issued under the scheme, those who get passports
are likely to come to the UK at the first opportunity.
We have taken pains to explain to the Chinese that the
primary objective of the scheme is to stem the exodus of
talented and enterprising people from Hong Kong and thus maintain Hong Kong's stability and prosperity in
accordance with our obligations. I believe that in time
the Chinese will come to accept that the scheme is making
an important contribution to the successful future of the
territory and is very much in China's own interests.
There is no evidence that those who receive British
passports under this scheme will be treated with hostility
by the Chinese authorities. Such a presumption cannot be
squared with the provisions of the Joint Declaration and
Basic Law which state that British and other foreign
nationals may continue to serve in, or be recruited to,
all but a small number of top posts in the future Hong
Kong SAR Government. Nor can it be squared with China's willingness to accept that up to 20% of the Legislative
Council after 1997 can be foreign passport holders.
Chinese will not recognise passports issued under scheme
Line to Take
SAKACG (1)
The important point is that beneficiaries should have the ability to leave the territory at any time and to come and
go freely after 1997. The Joint Declaration and the Basic
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