"CONFIDENTIAL
VISIT TO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BY LORD CAITHNESS,
24 FEBRUARY 10 MARCH 1991
HONG KONG: INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT
Background
1. Australia has a substantial economic stake in Hong
Kong's stability and prosperity; 10,000 citizens in Hong
Kong and 300 companies. Australia is the second most
popular destination for emigrants from Hong Kong, with an
annual intake of some 19,000.
2. Like Canada, Australia has declined, to introduce a
scheme of assurances specifically for Hong Kong because of
non-discriminatory nature of its immigration legislation.
But Senator Evans told Lord Caithness last November that
many of those emigrating to Australia from Hong Kong had in
fact returned to Hong Kong once they had obtained residence
permits. He stressed that the Australian authorities were
trying to be helpful to Hong Kong business migrants, within the flexibility allowed by the existing immigration rules.
3. The New Zealand Government conducted a review of their
immigration policy last year and introduced a points system
on the Australian model. Like the Australian system,
New Zealand's immigration rules allow a certain degree of flexibility. Business migrants can return to Hong Kong to work provided they spend a minimum of 6 months working for a
New Zealand company in New Zealand and that they continue to work for a New Zealand company in Hong Kong thereafter.
FABAPF/1
CONFIDENTIAL
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