TNAG-2953-FCO40-4230-Hong-Kong-European-Community-visa-regime-for-British-Nationa-1993 — Page 38

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29SEP 1993

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HONG KONG/EC IMMIGRATION WORKING GROUP

1.

You wrote on 16 September to Mr Rawsthorne at the Home Office to brief him on Hong Kong points in advance of the EC' Immigration Working Group. Mr Lewty telephoned to say that, asher in the event, Mr Rawsthorne had not used our speaking note in

the meeting.

Is there

apportantly?

2.

Mr Lewty noted that he had sought, in the margins of the meeting, to deploy the various points in our briefing calculated to reassure those European countries not now imposing visa regimes on Hong Kong BDTCS and BN (0)s that they had nothing to fear from continuing the present arrangements. The Belgian representative had confirmed Mr Lewty's impression that even now, many countries still have an imperfect understanding of just what a BDTC/BN (0) is. In response to Mr Lewty's presentation, the Belgian responded that of course they would continue their present visa-free regime - since BDTCS/BN (0)s were returnable to the UK they had no qualms about this. Mr Lewty explained that this was not quite the case, the Belgian then expressed some consternation. He stopped short of saying that Belgium would look again at arrangements but given the Belgian reaction, Mr Lewty did not press our case further with other member delegations.

3.

My own feeling is that, despite their lack of right of abode in the UK, we have a respectable case to make for BDTCs and BN (0)s. We have explained to the Hong Kong Government the possible downside in focussing attention; they have accepted this risk and nevertheless wish us to continue to put their case when the opportunity arises.

4.

On a separate point, you may be aware that Hong Kong introduced in August a seven day visa-free arrangement for PRC passport holders transitting Hong Kong (Han Dongfang benefited from the new arrangement). MVD felt with some justification - that we needed some defensive points to deploy if this new arrangement were represented as weakening the Hong

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CODE 18-77