CONFIDENTIAL
Are relations with the People's Republic of China likely to remain
stable?
Yes. In particular HMG see no reason why Hong Kong
should become an issue between the two Governments.
(Sidelined)
Some Hong Kong issues have in the past caused difficulties in our relations with the People's Republic. At present, however, the position is particularly satisfactory and there are no identifiable difficulties in the way of their remaining so. We would expect successive Chinese Governments to continue to maintain their view that Hong Kong is part of China; but the degree to which they will pursue this claim will be dependent more on developments in Chinese policy than on events in Hong Kong. HMG's present policy is to administer Hong Kong in the interests of its inhabitants and to make it a place in which they can pursue fruitful and productive lives. It is our hope that this will reduce the risks of internal disorders in the Colony which might cause the Chinese Government to revise its present
attitude of tolerance towards the status quo.
Would the FCO explain why refugees are being sent back to China?
The question of illegal immigrants has been raised many times in Parliament. In 1974 Hong Kong received about 33,000 legal immigrants from China. The present strains on housing and the social services of the Colony are so severe that in November of that year the Hong Kong Government had to reintroduce the policy (in abeyance since 1967) of refusing entry to those without permission to leave China.
It has also been explained in Parliament that each case is considered on its individual merits and that an illegal immigrant is not returned to China when exceptional humanitarian considerations
are involved.
[Further points included in defensive briefing
attached.]
CONFIDENTIAL
/why not