CONFIDEIAL
• ANNEX I
Special Branch,
Serial No. 3422
Royal Hong Kong Folice.
Emigration Controls at Shen Ch'uan
11th August, 1978.
Traveller arrived at Shen Ch'uan on 30th July 1978, and found many emigrants there from various provinces and municipalities of China awaiting departure. Before queueing up at the Shen Ch'uan Customs Office to undergo departure formalities, emigrants were divided into groups and had their Exit Permits "chopped" by members of the Border Defence Inspection Station staff, stating an authorised departure date and requiring them to lodge until that date at either
the Shen Ch'uan Hotel, People's Hotel or Hsin An (2450/1344) Hotel,
all in Shen Ch'uan town. At that time Traveller thought that there were about 600 emigrants awaiting departure in the hotels, which were
packed and "chaotic".
2.
Some emigrants were very worried because of financial or
accommodation problems and asked if they could contact their relatives
in Hong Kong, because the waiting period would be likely to be at
least one week. The authorities gave preferential treatment to the
aged, infirm or physically handicapped who were permitted to depart
on the same day as they arrived in Shen Ch'uan. Emigrants from
Kwangtung and Fukien Provinces would wait for at least 10 days, whilst
those from other provinces would wait for about a week. For example,
some emigrants from Kwangtung and Fukien Provinces who arrived on 30th July were being authorised to leave between 18th and 22nd August.
3.
Traveller's departure date was given as 12th August, and he
was lodged at the Hsin An Hotel. However, on the evening of 5th
August, a notice was posted in the hotel which stated that with the
exception of emigrants from Kwangtung and Fukien Frovinces who had to
await their authorised departure date, all other emigrants could leave
CONFIDENTIAL
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