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purchasing more western equipment and technology in the next few
*
years to help with this development. Political initiatives which would radically change the status of Hong Kong, and thus cause a loss of foreign exchange, are therefore unlikely.
Illegal Immigration from China
20.
Between 1971 und 1973 the total number of immigrants from China into Hong Kong increased from about 13,500 to some 74,000 a year. This imposed a heavy strain on the colony's resources. Since November 1974 following discussions with the Chinese between Hong Kong Government officials and the authorities in Kwantung Province, illegal immigrants apprehended on first entry into the colony have been returned to China, except where special circum- stances apply or in cases of genuine hardship. The number of legal immigrants (those with Chinese exit permits) has also declined.
21. Immigration is a constant problem for Hong Kong, since it tends to be regarded as a haven by potential refugees from other parts of the region. Over the past two years, for example, since the ending of the war in Vietnam, Hong Kong has become one of the principal sanctuaries for Vietnamese refugees, particularly of those picked up at sea. Hong Kong's capacity to accept such refugees, even temporarily, is severely limited by the strain imposed on its essential services by an already overcrowded population. (With a population of about 4.5 million in an area of 400 square miles, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated places in the world.)
Political Organisation
22. The Chinese Communist Party representatives in Hong Kong regulate the activities of local Communist organisations so as not to disturb the internal stability necessary for economic growth. They thus help to maintain the financial and commercial advantages which China derives from Hong Kong. The Party controls a hard core of disciplined, ideologically-inspired activists who administer a number of overt
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/Communist