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Conditional renewal could be as damaging as it would bring uncertainty in the markets and lead to an erosion of
confidence in Hong Kong as a major trading and financial
centre.
21. On 8 July the Co-operative Resources Centre (CRC)
initiated a motion debate in LegCo supporting unconditional
renewal of MFN and urging HKG to maintain vigorous efforts, and when necessary seek greater support from HMG, in pursuit of this goal. The UDHK (United Democrats) attempted to introduce an amendment to the resolution linking it to an
improvement by China on its human rights record. In the event
the UDHK amendment motion was defeated, and the original CRC
motion carried 40 to 0 with 11 abstentions (by UDHK). In his
speech the Secretary for Trade and Industry reiterated HKG's
consistent support for unconditional MFN renewal, and
emphasised that the official members' vote against the
amendment had nothing to do with the human rights situation in
China. The HKG position, which we support, is that MFN is a
trade matter and should not be linked with other issues.
There has not so far been any Congressional reaction to the LegCo debate (the Senate is in recess).
22.
Nationality Matters
J
BNA 1981
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CHILDREN
23. It is possible that members of ExCo or LegCo may raise the question of registering as British citizens a group of
about 200 Hong Kong children under Section 3 (1) of the BNA
1981. LegCo member Dr Leong approached both Mr Lloyd (Home Office) and Lord Caithness about this late last year. Mr Lloyd showed himself to be sympathetic to Dr Leong's arguments and said that he would let him have a decision after receiving
advice from his officials. In the event the matter was
overtaken by the general elections. Home Office officials
then advised their new Minister, Mr Wardle, to resist this
con.iss.PR.SLM
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