TNAG-2236-FCO40-3215-Hong-Kong-and-China-subversion-and-student-demonstrations-1991 — Page 158

CONFIDENTIAL

071440 MDH N 5511

THE DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL CASES.

THE POSSESSION OF A VISA DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT A VISITOR WILL BE ADMITTED INTO HONG KONG. VISAS DO NOT CONFER THE RIGHT TO LAND. UNDER SECTION 11 (1) OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE, AN IMMIGRATION OFFICER MAY REFUSE A VISITOR LEAVE TO ENTER HONG KONG, EVEN IF HE HOLDS A VISA.

OUR GENERAL POLICY IS NOT TO ALLOW HONG KONG TO BE USED BY

OUTSIDERS FOR THEIR OWN POLITICAL PURPOSES. THIS IN NO WAY AFFECTS THE RIGHTS OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH WITHIN THE LAW.

UNQUOTE.

5. THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN HAS PUT OUT THE FOLLOWING LINE:

QUOTE

-

WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN HONG KONG AND WE DEFEND THAT FREEDOM. WE ASK ONLY THAT PEOPLE EXERCISE THAT FREEDOM WITHIN THE LAW. BUT, AS THE GOVERNOR HAS MADE CLEAR ON MANY OCCASIONS IN THE PAST, WE DO NOT WANT HONG KONG TO BE USED AS A BATTLEFIELD FOR OTHER PEOPLE'S POLITICAL BATTLES. EVERYTHING WE DO IS CONSISTENT WITH THIS POLICY.

UNQUOTE.

6. SO FAR, LOCAL CONSULATES HAVE NOT COMMENTED.

WILSON

YYYY

ΜΑΙΝ

60

.HONG KONG AGREEMENT

. (RESTRICTED)

LIMITED

HKD

HD/FED

DISTRIBUTION

64

PUSD

RAD

PS/LORD CAITHNESS PS/MR LENNOX-BOYD SIR J COLES

PAGE

2

CONFIDENTIAL