CONFIDENTIAL
Note No. 9
VISIT OF DEPUTY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE
(SIR LESLIE MONSON)
TO HONG KONG, OCTOBER, 1969
IMMIGRATION OF COMMONWEALTH CITIZENS INTO HONG KONG
On 27 August the Hong Kong Government announced that with effect from 8 September, 1969, they were introducing controls over the immigration of Commonwealth citizens into
the Colony. Details of the scheme of control are set out
in Foreign and Commonwealth telegram No. 478 to Rawalpindi a copy of which is attached. Visas will not be required in
the case of holders of U.K. passports issued in the U.K. or
visitors.
2
There has been no adverse reaction from the Governments
of Commonwealth countries and territories, some of whom were
notified in advance of Hong Kong's intentions.
3. The publicly stated reason for introducing the controls
is the need to limit the immigration into the Colony of unskilled workers who contribute nothing to the economy and
who may become a charge on public revenues. In fact the
controls are more specifically directed against the immigration of unskilled Pakistanis and Indians who were entering Hong Kong in increasing numbers during recent months. Moreover, it has been the strongly held view of Chinese unofficial members of
the Hong Kong Executive Council that unrestricted entry of Commonwealth citizens into the Colony should not be allowed
to continue in view of the lack of reciprocal facilities for
the unconditional entry of Hong Kong Chinese into other
Commonwealth countries.
4. The position of Commonwealth citizens already living in
Hong Kong will be safeguarded.
Hong Kong Department
October, 1969
CONFIDENTIAL