RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED MANAGEMENT IN CONFIDENCE
MANAGEMENT IN CONFIDENCE
FM FCO
HKD 406/1
TO DESKBY 07003OZ UKREP JLG HONG KONG
TELNO 57
OF 061938Z AUGUST 92
INFO DESKBY 070030Z HONG KONG, BTC HONG KONG, PEKING
342
YOUR TELNO 159: NEW CONSULATE GENERAL: PRESS RELEASE
1.
120
105315
MDHOAN 8688
Mr. Morris Мостя
Tammy G. phoned to
Sam Le's sent a fel arguing Hal last senter a will Still Carde
PEKING ARE ALSO UNHAPPY WITH THE LINE TO TAKE ON CONSULAR
PROTECTION AS DRAFTED (TELECON ROGAN/MORRIS OF 6 AUGUST).
2.
WE AGREE THAT THE LINE NEEDS MODIFICATION. BUT WE WONDER IF
THE LINE PROPOSED IN YOUR PARA 3 IS QUITE RIGHT. AS DRAFTED, IT WOULD SEEM TO RULE OUT BRITISH CONSULAR PROTECTION, NOT ONLY FOR BRITISH NATIONALS (OVERSEAS) IN HONG KONG AFTER 1 JULY 1997, BUT ALSO FOR ANYONE/ANYONE THAT CHINA CHOSE TO REGARD (UNILATERALLY) AS A CHINESE NATIONAL, (CONCEIVABLY THIS COULD BE A BRITISH CITIZEN UNDER THE 1981 OR THE 1990 ACT). WOULD WE WANT TO GIVE
THIS IMPRESSION?
3. THE LINE WE NOW USE FOR HONG KONG PERSONS IN CHINA WAS DEVISED TO SHOW THAT, WHERE THE CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANTED, WE HAVE BEEN ROBUST IN DEFENDING THE INTERESTS OF OUR NATIONALS, (DESPITE THE WEAKNESS OF OUR POSITION IN INTERNATIONAL LAW). WE SEE A RISK IN SEEMING TO IMPLY THAT HMG WOULD BE LESS ROBUST IN HONG KONG AFTER 1 JULY 1997.
4.
SUBJECT TO YOUR VIEWS, AND THOSE OF COPY ADDRESSEES, WE THINK WE SHOULD TRY TO RESERVE OUR POSITION THOUGH AVOID BEING PROVOCATIVE. WE SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING LINES, (WHICH HAVE BEEN SEEN BY A LEGAL ADVISER):
THE CONSULATE-GENERAL WILL PROVIDE THE NORMAL RANGE OF SERVICES TO VISITORS FROM BRITAIN AFTER 1997.
- IN THE CASE OF PEOPLE OF ETHNIC CHINESE ORIGIN WHO HOLD BRITISH NATIONAL COVERSEAS) PASSPORTS AFTER THAT DATE, WE UNDERSTAND IT IS THE POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PRC TO REGARD THEM AS CHINESE NATIONALS.
- IN THE CASE OF DUAL-NATIONALS, THE POSITION IN
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