TNAG-2182-FCO40-3119-Hong-Kong-nationality-international-support-1990 — Page 96

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HOME SECRETARY'S VISIT TO AUSTRALIAO 695-1B 199 PTEMBER 1990: HONG KONG: INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTDESK OFFICE

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Points to Make

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The British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990 received Royal Assent on 26 July. Aim is to give key people in Hong

Kong the confidence to remain in the territory.

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It is in Australia's own economic interests to keep Hong Kong stable and prosperous. One way is to give the people the confidence they are seeking to remain in the territory.

- We appreciate that Australian policy on immigration, given its worldwide application, makes it difficult for you to

come up with a scheme on the lines of of our package, or any other scheme of assurances specifically for Hong Kong. is there any more that you can do?

But

Understand that there are flexible arrangements within the Australian immigration rules allow people to take up residence but then return to Hong Kong. This is helpful.

Have heard that there might be plans to tighten up this

flexibility. Of course right to ensure that rules are

adhered. But hope that application of rules will not disadvantage Hong Kond people unduly.

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Hope that Australia will continue to look for any further

ways they can help Hong Kong. Understand you are currently

conducting a policy review on Hong Kong including

immigration. Can you go into any details of the review at

this time?

TOYAGY/1

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