TNAG-2234-FCO40-3207-FCO-sponsored-visits-from-Hong-Kong-to-the-UK-1991 — Page 91

Personal

MKB 027/3

DIEU-F

Foreign & Commonwealth

Office

London SW1 2AH

1 February 1991

R A Burns Esq

AUSS

FCO

C/O Government House

Hong Kong

Dear Andrew,

FCO SPONSORED VISITS : HONG KONG

1.

You may recall that we briefly discussed, just before your departure, that we were awaiting recommendations from the British Trade Commission about candidates for Category I and II visitors from Hong Kong. You said you would try to pursue this during your visit.

2. As it happens, the list duly arrived by the next bag. am attaching it to this letter, as you may have an opportunity to discuss it with Peter Heap or others before your return to London.

3.

H

Frankly, our initial reaction to the list is one of disappointment. We had hoped that there would be rather more analysis of the thinking behind the recommendations. To take the political figures, for example, a number of those named, (eg Maria Tam, Rosana Tam) are regular visitors to the UK under their own steam. Others (Martin Lee, Yeung Sum) would I think need further thought.

4.

Turning to the Civil Servant section, I think we would certainly need these recommendations to be backed up with some account of the reasoning behind them. Many of the names (eg Anson Chan, John Chan or Donald Tsang) are very prominent names, but why sponsor them? In the case of some of the less obvious names, some explanation of the reasoning behind the recommendations would be needed. Similarly the business candidates.

IMPADQ