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other's National Day receptions; but first he had asked Mr Dick Lee
to arrange for them to meet over a meal.
AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH CHINA
18. Mr Wilford said that Sir John Addis had spoken in strong terms
to the Chinese about their recent demands over China Airlines.
Mr Royle said that if the Chinese pressed too much on this, we would
rather drop the Air Services Agreement than ditch Cathay Pacific
Airways. Sir Murray MacLehose said he did not think the Chinese
would drop the question altogether. It might, however, go into
abeyance. He thought we should keep an eye on the Japanese.
they decided to put pressure on Taiwan it was conceivable that
China Airlines would change their name rather than lose their
traffic rights, so the problem for Hong Kong would disappear.
CHINESE IMMIGRATION INTO HONG KONG
19.
If
Sir Murray MacLehose said the problem of "legal" immigration
through Lowu was becoming serious. Our mission in Peking had been
consulted and the Hong Kong Government would talk about it to the
NCNA. It was not illegal immigrants who were particularly
important; but if the influx of people leaving China legally and
then taking up residence in Hong Kong went on at its present rate,
this would disrupt the social services programme. The line which
we were taking on those whom the Chinese wanted to be returned for
trial for murder seemed right to him; but it was a difficult issue.
VISITS
20. Mr Royle mentioned that, as Sir Murray MacLehose knew, the
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/Duke