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XV.
Exhacted AFCHIS/
~FCH 18/2
34.
It was further suggested that HMG should not risk entering into discussions on this subject unless and until they were prepared to go through with them. The current Chinese attitude might best be gauged when next a Government Minister went to Peking.
The
Chinese could be expected to increase their pressure if and when they saw grounds for dissatisfaction concerning other events or trends in Hong Kong.
35.
Lord Goronwy-Roberts said that in his opinion HMG should continue to stand firm. At the same time, a negative response could be expressed in such a way as to explain to the Chinese (who were more interested than the East Europeans in the reasons behind a decision of this sort) why it was being given.
Chinese Immigration, Legal and Illegal
36.
Sir Murray MacLehose said he understood HMG had provision- ally agreed that Hong Kong could resume discussions with the Chinese about the return of illegal immigrants (excluding refugees) who
were caught before they reached the urban areas. The rate of illegal immigration was running at double the corresponding rate for 1973. Some sort of deterrence (despite the inherent dangers of driving the traffic underground) was now essential. He wanted to look again at the latest figures, for illegals and legals, and to assess public opinion in Hong Kong. He would inform the FCO,
after his return, of what he proposed to do. There would be an advantage in acting fairly quickly, while the recent South Vietnamese case was fresh in people's minds.
37.
Sir Murray emphasised that Hong Kong could not contemplate returning illegals who were only identified after they had become absorbed in the urban areas. He added that, except for one relatively junior NCNA official, the Chinese had never asked for return of illegals in general: their requests had always related to specified groups. 38.
Sir Murray undertook that any illegals would be screened in order to safeguard against returning a genuine refugee. However, screening would inevitably have to be somewhat 'ad hoc', and it was
essential both that return should be effected within 24 hours of identification and that the screening process should not be
publicised.
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139.
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