GF 304
CONFIDENTIAL
SCR 1/46 SF 'A'
機密
LIC HONG KONG
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA
JUNE 1979
It was assessed in early June that the high level of arrests in Hong Kong would probably continue unless the Chinese authorities took considerably more effective counter measures than was the case at that time. The average daily number of arrests was 654 for the first seven days of June, but fell quickly and dramatically after the middle of the month, dropping to a daily average of 71 for the last seven days of June. For the first nine days of July the daily average was only 18.
2.
The main reason for this sharp decrease stems from a decision known to have been made by the Chinese Governrnent, probably in early June, that illegal emigration was to be stopped. A major propaganda campaign, the announcement of severe penalties, the strengthening of existing security forces and the return of elements of 42 Army in May from Guangxi (Kwangsi) Province, all led to the implementation of the decision from mid- June onwards.
3.
The number of CCA reinforcements deployed on anti- escape duties in support of the border defence regiment is not known, but reports have varied from one regiment to a division. On 26 June the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister ZHANG Wenjin told H. M. Ambassador in Peking that the Central Government had taken a close interest in the problem, had issued instructions and that the border had been reinforced. On 27 June, Canton Radio broadcast a notice from the Guangdong Provincial Revolutionary Committee announcing measures to 'resolutely oppose and halt the sinister trend of sneaking across the border to foreign countries'. It was stated that 'all checkpoints, public security organs and PLA units must resolutely stop people who sneak across the border or enter the border region without papers'. This could imply that all PLA units within Guangdong Province have been put on alert for anti - escape duties, not just those in the areas bordering Hong Kong.
4.
From the decline in land border arrest figures, it would appear that the Chinese have had considerable success in closing the land border. A recent report suggests that the North East sea route is now also being closed, as the number of Public Security Bureau (PSB) vessels patrolling this area have been increased and all vessels are being stopped and searched. There is so far no information of a similar increase on the Western sea routes in the Pearl River estuary.
CONFIDENTIAL
/cont'd
機密