TNAG-2282-FCO40-3282-Hong-Kong-visa-policy-1991 — Page 38

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

FM FCO

TO ROUTINE HONG KONG

TELNO 1259

OF 06170OZ JULY 91

INFO ROUTINE PEKING

PKG 34.5/1

HKB 345 TOP COPY

RECEIVED IN RÉCISTAV

6 AUG 1991 DIST?

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

044600

MDLOAN 6777

FOR POLITICAL ADVISER

VISA FOR PROPOSED TAIWAN REPRESENTATIVE IN HONG KONG

1. AS YOU MAY ALREADY KNOW, THE HEADS OF BOTH FED AND HKD HAVE BEEN LOBBIED THROUGH THE TAIWAN TRADE REPRESENTATIVE IN LONDON ABOUT EXPEDITING A WORK VISA FOR JOHN NI, WHO ASPIRES TO BE THE NEXT TAIWAN REPRESENTATAIVE IN HONG KONG (SEE FCO TELNO 106)).

2. NI (WHO WAS IN LONDON RECENTLY ON OTHER BUSINESS) HAS ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THIS LOBBYING EFFORT. WE UNDERSTAND THAT HAVING MADE INFORMAL ENQUIRIES (WITHOUT SUCCESS) HE NOW INTENDS TO LODGE AN OFFICIAL APPLICATION. WE HAVE OF COURSE GIVEN NO (NO) COMMITMENT THAT HIS APPLICATION MIGHT SUCCEED, NOR HAVE WE ENTERED INTO DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT CONDITIONS MIGHT BE ATTACHED

TO ANY DECISIONS TO ADMIT HIM.

4. FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH, NI STRUCK US AS A SENSIBLE AND MODERATE INDIVIDUAL, WHO SEEMED SUPERFICIALLY AT LEAST, COMMITTED TO TRADE AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION AND A POLICY OF NON CONFRONTATION WITH

THE MAINLAND.

5.

IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE MATTER WILL BE RAISED WITH US AGAIN. GRATEFUL THEREFORE TO KNOW THE PRESENT POSITION AND FOR A LINE TO

TAKE.

HURD

YYYY

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