TNAG-2161-FCO40-3083-Hong-Kong-visa-abolition-agreements-1990 — Page 115

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Kong because of Chinese sensitivities. I explained our case by case policy and approach and urged them to consider issuing MEVS to East European businessmen as we have done. They seemed interested in the

idea (at present they issue no MEVS to East Europeans).

9. Hong Kong are not currently experiencing any problems with clearances apart from Moscow where they have experienced the same difficulties as we have as a result of late referrals from the post.

I explained the action MVD has taken to assist the post and our hopes that the situation would now improve.

10.

On

Everyone to whom I spoke referred at some stage to 1997.

the one hand there is very much a feeling of business as usual. The

economy seems to be healthy with negligible unemployment and I was told that Hong Kong investment in China after wavering, is continuing at a rather slow pace with a growing body of HK based industry located in neighbouring provinces of China. But the Nationality package is on everyone's minds. The Director told me that he believed it would serve the intention of keeping people in Hong Kong if only the Chinese would stop making stupid statements: they understood the position perfectly well but face was involved. I was asked if we could provide texts of all existing UK VAAS for the Nationality team to take into account in their negotiations.

ACTION: Mr Pearce to pursue urgently.

these personally without delay

I should like to send

-

the request has

apparently been made before and we have not responded.

11. Almost every interlocutor bent my ear about the recent amendment to Rule 58. I explained the changes on standard lines but this did not reassure the Hong Kongers. They accept that the amendment closes a loophole but they perceive it as a tightening-up at their expense that runs counter to the UK government's policy of making it possible for Hong Kongers who want to say in Hong Kong to keep a foot in both camps as insurance.

Migration and Visa Department

23 May 1990

LJ 2AAV

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