TNAG-2348-FCO40-3417-Political-relations-between-Hong-Kong--China-and-Canada-1991 — Page 7

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

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CONFIDENTIAL

CANADIAN CONFIDENCE PROMOTING MEASURES

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Major Message

As approved by Cabinet, Canada is discreetly pursuing a package of confidence promoting measures to contribute to a stable and prosperous Hong Kong post-1997. The measures are intended to protect long-term Canadian interests in Hong Kong by supporting increased autonomy for post-1997 Hong Kong. To date, the PRC have not criticized this Canadian step-by-step approach which has stressed the value to the PRC of a stable and prosperous Hong Kong.

Points to register

Canada is codifying informal linkages with Hong Kong through a series of agreements:

mutual legal assistance investment protection film co-production.

An exchange program is also being developed to assist officials from Hong Kong to gain familiarity with the Canadian regulatory and policy formulation approach.

Canada is also supportive of Hong Kong participation in appropriate international fora such as the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings.

Canada is supporting plans to develop a new airport and to improve the port facilities which, apart from benefitting Canadian companies, will help to maintain Hong Kong as a finacial and transportation centre in Asia.

Canada will likely continue to be the principal destination for immigrants from Hong Kong (over 28,000 in 1990).

Canada does not intend, however, to develop a right of abode package, as it would conflict with our universal immigration policy.

There's already considerable flexibility with existing Canadian citizenship and immigration regulations.

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