7
!
IMMIGRATION
12 The high level of immigration into Hong Kong during the last six months has been worrying, and it
looks as if at the present rate we will have about
95,000 immigrants this year. This is something that
must be kept in perspective since the level of migration
changes considerably from year to year, and there is an
outflow to other countries as well as an inflow largely
from neighbouring provinces of China. In the five years
up to December 1976 the average annual arrivals from
China by all means were about 50,000 but Hong Kong's
overall average net gain by migration over the five-year
period was only 18,000 a year. But last year the net
gain rose to 33,000, and this year, if the current rate
is maintained, it could be as high as 60,000. At this
rate two extra very large housing estates, with all
accompanying facilities would be necessary each
year if standards were not to be diluted.
13
We have explained both here directly, and through
diplomatic channels in Peking and London, the problems that
this rate of influx could present for us if it were allowed
to continue, and I very much hope to see the figures
gradually and substantially reduced.
14
We also have a stream of arrivals of a different sort