TNAG-2771-FCO40-3988-Coverage-of-Sino-British-talks-in-the-Hong-Kong-press-1993 — Page 19

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Travel Documents

The papers reported in good coverage (1.12) the head of the Wanchai DB delegation to Peking, Peggy Lam, quoted a Chinese public security official as saying it would not be appropriate for HK people to continue to use home visit permits for travelling to the mainland after 1997. The Chinese and HK authorities were studying the introduction of a replacement.

30. The papers quoted (3.12) the Chinese Vice Minister of Public Security Tian Qiyu as saying the home visit permits used by HK people now to travel to China would be abolished and replaced by some sort of a pass. Tian said most HK people could enter and leave the mainland freely after 1997, except those who were against the Chinese Government such as Han Donfang and Yiu Yung-chin.

Lee Kuan Yew

31.

Singapore Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew's interview with ATV was picked up by the papers (29.11). Reports noted Lee's remarks that senior officials in the HKG should remain neutral in the political dispute to maintain China's trust in them. Lee said he did not understand the purpose of the talks. In three and a half years, HK would be returned to China. HK should learn how to co- exist with China but this was not what HK was doing now.

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