TNAG-2478-FCO40-3608-Trade-relations-between-Hong-Kong--the-UK-and-other-countrie-1992 — Page 17

布政司署

香港下亞厘畢道

CONFIDENTIAL

GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT

LOWER ALBERT ROAD HONG KONG

1 September 1992

My 3/21/7

FED

in the of

17]

2. Mr Gust Non/14 Buat M44 $7 m

Weth 449 9/1*

m

੧੩

本署檔號 Our Ref.:

PAO(C) 29/64

來函檔號 Your Ref.:

Mr Peter Ricketts

Hong Kong Department,

FCO

Dear Peter,

HK/Taiwan Commercial and Economic Issues

Thank you for copying me your minute of 22 July recording your discussion with Michael Wei of the Taiwan Economic Office in London. The points he made about Taiwan's hopes for cooperation with Hong Kong were fairly rich. might want to know the real situation, for any future encounter.

Multiple Entry Visas for Taiwanese

You

We already issue multiple entry permits to Taiwanese businessmen. Between 1 June 1991 and 31 July 1992 (14 months), we have granted over 1,500,000. Within two weeks of application, most Taiwanese visitors can get either a one or two year multiple entry permit at their own choice. During the validity of these permits, they can enter HK as many times as they like, effectively visa-free. Renewal is easy and quick and can be done when in HK at the visitors convenience. In comparison, HK residents normally have to wait at least four weeks to get Taiwan visas (twice as long as Taiwanese applying for HK permits). Where "multiples" are issued, they have to be renewed every trip which takes a day each time.

Work Permits for Taiwanese Businessmen

Our policy is to treat Taiwan residents in the same way as nationals from other countries. Provided they possess special skills, knowledge or experience of value which is not readily available in HK, or are in a position to make a substantial contribution to our economy, their applications would be considered favourably. Between 1 July 1991 and 30 June 1992 (12 months), 767 applications were received, of which 530 were approved and 70 refused, and the rest could not be further processed because the applicants withdrew the applications themselves or because there was no response from the sponsors in HK.

CONFIDENTIAL