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6.
own.
IRIS (not to be confused with the Australian system).
Immigration Records Information System. This is a new Machine Readable Passport (MRP) system due to come into operation from 1
June replacing an obsolete central indexing system (CINDEX).
The present systems are considerably more sophisticated than our
All applicants' data are filed on microfiche. The HKIS have
not however, developed computers as a management information system
and were interested in what I could tell them about our own efforts
in this area. A consultancy is now examining how these three
systems can be integrated. The Director hopes to work towards a
"paper free" system in due course.
7. The HKIS expressed appreciation of the contribution of our posts in the area in processing applications for Hong Kong. They carry out regular liaison visits and welcome visits from visa staff
passing through Hong Kong on MT,, breather visits, courier runs etc.
Relations are particularly close with Peking and Manila (there are
50,000 Filipina domestics in Hong Kong). The HKIS are well aware of
Peking's difficulties and of the fact that to the extent that they can take applications direct this will relieve the pressure on our Embassy. But this has to be handled gradually to take account of Chinese susceptibilities. They have plans, however, to extend direct application to officials and student applications in the four provinces from which some direct applications are already received and to accept direct applications for visits from 3 more provinces in due course. The net effect of these changes should be a reduction of about 25% of HK applications currently made to our Peking Embassy.
8.
Eastern Europe. HKIS acknowledged that their policy was very restrictive and currently under review. They were now inclined to differentiate between Eastern Europe and "other" Communist countries, and would probably follow our lead on visa abolition, eg for GDR. They acknowledged that they were under a good deal of pressure from the business community and wished to relax the system somewhat but held out little prospect that East European, eg Hungary would be permitted to establish offices, eg Trade Missions in Hong
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