TNAG-2295-FCO40-3309-Possible-visit-by-the-Dalai-Lama-to-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 34

HKC026/8

Mr Burns

CONFIDENTIAL

2 S MAT 1991

FROM:

H LI Davies

Far Eastern Department

DATE:

13 May 1991

CC:

Mr Paul, HKD

1.

Your manuscript query on Hong Kong telno 1399. I think we MUST make a a distinction between Hong Kong and the United Kingdom on this. The Hong Kong Visa regime is for HKG not HMG.

We should not seek to overturn their preference.

And a visit by the Dalai Lama to Hong Kong would be seen as a direct provocation by the Chinese. If it were me, I could not advise Ministers to tell the Governor to allow him in, unless it was for a meeting agreed with the Chinese, which of course we advocate. Ministers would have to be robust in stating the position in answer to any Lord Ennals complaints.

10

H LI Davies

Mer Sainty

& pa new file

Pou 14/5

Mo Major

/14/5

CONFIDENTIAL

HLDAFY