TNAG-2964-FCO40-4243-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Consular-representation-of-European-Coun-1993 — Page 21

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FM HONG KONG

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TELNO 304

OF 250945Z FEBRUARY 93

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YOUR TELNO 166: RUSSIAN CONSULATE IN HONG KONG.

1

OUR LINE IS THAT THE UK AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS HAVE AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A RUSSIAN CONSULATE GENERAL IN HONG KONG AND IT IS NOW UP TO THE RUSSIANS TO MAKE THE

NEXT MOVE.

BACKGROUND

2. WE BELIEVE THE SCMP ENQUIRY WAS PROMPTED BY AN AFP REPORT THAT THE RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO CHINA RECENTLY STATED AT A SOCIAL FUNCTION IN A CITY IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE THAT HIS GOVERNMENT WOULD SET UP A CONSULATE GENERAL IN HONG KONG LATER IN 1993. THE CONSULATE GENERAL WOULD BE MANNED BY ONE PERSON ONLY AND THE VISAS ISSUED BY THE CONSULATE GENERAL, HE SAID, WOULD BE GOOD FOR ALL THE INDEPENDENT STATES OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

COMMENT

3. THE INDEPENDENT STATES OF THE COMMONWEALTH WOULD, OF COURSE, HAVE TO SEEK OUR AND RUSSIA'S AGREEMENTS THAT RUSSIA SHOULD ACT ON THEIR BEHALF. KYRGYZSTAN HAS ALREADY MADE ENQUIRIES ABOUT OPENING THEIR OWN CONSULAR MISSION IN HONG KONG COUR TELNO 112 REFERS).

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