TNAG-2385-FCO40-3467-Future-of-Hong-Kong-visa-abolition-agreements-1991 — Page 91

Reference..

Ms Major

RESTRICTED

HKC345/1

Hong Kong Department-

ir

RECE

0 8 JAN 1991

teful.

fa 345/1.

PM 7/1

UK/AUSTRIA VISA ABOLITION AGREEMENT HONG KONG

1.

As discussed, I spoke this morning with John Yeung (Deputy Director Immigration Hong Kong) about the above.

2. Hong Kong have been working on the assumption that maintaining the status quo is still a viable option perhaps wishful thinking on their part but nevertheless potentially dangerous should they react badly to any outcome which does not suit them. Mr Yeung seemed, initially at least, to believe that the Austrians would be sympathetic to the sensitivities of Hong Kong's position but I explained to him that, although they are indeed sympathetic, they nevertheless wish the Visa Abolition Agreement (VAA) to be revised against a background where the true position of BDTC s aswell as BNO S has been clarified beyond any doubt.

3. Mr Yeung is at least now in no doubt as to where we stand. He said that option (b) - ie trying to revise the VAA to include Hong Kong - the preferred route but that other parts of the Hong Kong Government were still considering how to proceed and that we should wait therefore until a final position was established. A telegram will be sent to us soon.

4.

This telephone call was most useful. Hong Kong clearly had not grasped the fact that no guarantees were on the table. Mr Yeung said, for example, that Hong Kong BDTC s were covered by Austrian law but I explained

some of the background to the mid eighties "gentleman's agreement" which was, as you know, based on inaccurate information.

2 January 1990

LS8AAM

CODE 18-77

RESTRICTED

L Stephenson

Migration and Visa Department CL 418 270-4045