60,
LORD BRABAZON'S VIS IT TO PAKISTAN, INDIA AND NEPAL, 8-21 FEBRUARY
HONG KONG
Points to Make
HKD 34011
нко
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
24 FEB 1990
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
NATIONAL ITY PACKAGE AND INTERNATIONAL
PA
PPORT
REGISTRY
Action Taken
Resilient Hong Kong economy is recovering from the shock of events in China, but confidence has been seriously undermined. Immediate
problem is how to stem outflow of skilled people from the
territory.
- On 20 December the Foreign Secretary announced a package of
measures to improve confidence in Hong Kong. The main element in
the scheme will take the form of full British citizenship to a
maximum of 50,000 heads of household without their having to leave
Hong Kong.
- The Council of Hong Kong Indian Associations have been seeking a
special provision for British citizenship. The Government are aware of the concerns of this group but concluded that they could not be
treated as a special category within the scheme; but they are of
course welcome to apply along with the others; each application
would be treated on its merits.
We have been asking friends and colleagues in the International
Community to follow our lead in granting assurances to selected Hong
Kong people. India and Pakistan could make a great contribution to confidence in Hong Kong if it were able to grant citizenship [or at
least right of entry] to members of the Council of Hong Kong Indian
Associations without requiring them to leave Hong Kong in order to
qualify. (Understand there are some 3,000 members of Indian
community who do not already hold other passports).
-
Support for Hong Kong is vital if it is to maintain its status as a truly international and regional centre.
MT HAPQ
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.