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- 3 million South Chinese working directly or indirectly
for Hong Kong business.
5. Hong Kong/China trade now worth more than US$51 bn pa (14 times the 1980 figure) ie 30% of Hong Kong's total trade (in 1979 only 9%). 35% of China's trade passes through Hong Kong.
Joint Liaison Group
6. Progress improved after Prime Minister's visit to Peking but still needs acceleration. The Chinese are making difficulties on air services and are too greedy on defence lands. The next JLG meeting is in Hong Kong from 24 to 26 March: we expect no breakthroughs but steady progress on routine business eg international rights and obligations extending beyond 1997, including approval of some Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (IPPAS) which Hong Kong negotiated (following the Chinese agreement in principle last summer).
Nationality Scheme
7. The first tranche was over 50% over-subscribed and most applicants seem well qualified. So far nearly 11,000 beneficiaries (3500 principal beneficiaries plus dependents) have been registered as British citizens. The speed of registration is now likely to increase.
LegCo
In 1984 all LegCo members were appointed by the Governor: under the Joint Declaration all are to be elected
(directly or indirectly) after 1997.
9. The September 1991 LegCo consists of:
18 directly-elected members
NC2ABO/5
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