CONFIDENTIAL
HONG KONG: INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT: SUMMARY OF RESPONSES
Country
Australia
Brief Summary of Responses
The Australians are considering their response
in the context of a broader review of
Australian policy towards Hong Kong which is expected to go to Cabinet at the end of February. The Australian Foreign Minister is
personally sympathetic but the Department of Immigration dislike the idea of any exceptions
being made to Australia's global
non-discriminatory immigration policy.
However, under existing arrangements, Hong Kong
people can obtain Australian residence visas
but live in Hong Kong for a further 7 years.
At the UK/Australia Political Talks on
21 February, Mr McLaren impressed on senior
DFAT officials that the circumstances of Hong
Kong were unique and required a unique
solution.
Belgium
Canada
Given
Belgium hopes to introduce shortly a scheme to
offer permanent Belgian residence permits to
the employees of Belgian companies in Hong
Kong. No legislation will be required.
the limited nature of Belgian commercial
activity in Hong Kong, the maximum number of
beneficiaries will be about 50 Heads of
Household, plus their dependants.
The Canadian policy on immigration from Hong Kong is still under review. Mr Mulroney told
the Secretary of State on 13 February that
Canada was looking at the possibility of being
more flexible so that some Hong Kong people did
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