TNAG-2613-FCO40-3804-International-support-from-Australia-and-New-Zealand-regardi-1992 — Page 25

HONG KONG

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Background

1. Hong Kong is one of New Zealand's fastest growing sources of investment, business migration and tourism. Its pivotal role in North East Asia is also valuable to New Zealand as a springboard

for expansion into the burgeoning economy of Southern China.

Future expansion for New Zealand depends primarily on the Asia and Pacific regions.

2.

The New Zealanders have been generally supportive of our

policies in Hong Kong. Although they have not agreed to follow

the example of certain countries which have taken special

measures to give right of abode to some Hong Kongers, and thus

anchor them in Hong Kong, they did accept 5,300 immigrants from

Hong Kong for settlement in 1991 under their business migration programme. Although Hong Kong cannot afford to lose well qualified people, we recognise that those who migrate to New

Zealand or elsewhere are likely to foster closer trade links with Hong Kong.

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