CONFIDENTIAL
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4. WE ARE NOW CONSIDERING METHODS OF EXERTING GREATER PRESSURE
ON THE LARGE NUMBERS WHO OVERSTAY. UNDER OUR EXISTING IMMIGRATION
POLICY WE LAND THOSE COMING FROM KWANGTUNG PROVINCE FOR AN UNLIMITED PERIOD, THOSE COMING FROM ELSEWHERE IN CHINA ARE LANDED
FOR 12 MONTHS. THIS PROCEDURE RECOGNISES THE REALITY THAT MOST OF THOSE WHO COME INTEND TO STAY. ADMINISTRATIVELY IT IS
CONVENIENT. IT IS, HOWEVER, ANOMALOUS TO APPEAR GENEROUS WHILE TRYING TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF IMMIGRANTS.
5. WE ARE SEEKING EXECUTIVE COUNCIL APPROVAL TO LIMIT THE INITIAL STAY OF ALL LEGAL ARRIVALS FROM CHINA TO THE PERIOD OF VALIDITY OF THEIR CHINESE DOCUMENTS OR 12 MONTHS, WHICHEVER IS LESS. THOSE (THE VAST MAJORITY) WHO WANT TO STAY LONGER WILL. THEN HAVE
TO APPLY FOR EXTENSIONS. WE COULD NOT, IN PRACTICE, REFUSE EXTENSIONS FOR THE REASONS IN PARA 2 ABOVE. BUT IT WILL CAUSE THOSE WHO STAY SOME INCONVENIENCE AND EXPENSE. WE WILL ALSO USE THE
OPPORTUNITY PROVIDED BY RENEWAL TO TRY TO PERSUADE PEOPLE TO
RETURN.
6. WE CANNOT EXPECT THAT OUR NEW PROCEDURE WILL DO MUCH TO REDUCE
NUMBERS. IT WILL, HOWEVER, SHOW THE CHINESE THAT WE HAVE TAKEN NOTE OF THEIR POINT AND HAVE DONE SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
FED
HK & GD
M & VD
PUSD
PS/LORD GORONWY ROBERTS
MR.CORTAZZI
MR.MURRAY
COPIES TO:
HONG KONG GOVT. OFFICE
IN LONDON
:
2
CONFIDENTIAL
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