:.
Extract from Sec of State's
meetings
:
Amoxy B
47
Ders
Hua.
with Arany
12 October 1978
15.
Dr Owen said that Mr Huang had discussed Hong Kong with the Frime Minister. Both sides were satisfied with the present situation and we understood one another. But there was one specific problem he would like to raise, namely immigration. The large numbers entering Hong Kong from China placed a heavy strain on housing and social services in Hong Kong. The authorities were having to run hard to stand still. Lord Goronwy-Roberts said that 42,000 had crossed the border up to September 1978 compared with 26,000 for the whole of 1977. There was a danger of going backwards. Mr Huang said that in the past there was a tradition of free movement between Hong Kong and the interior of China. The Chinese did not see any need for a procedure to cover movement between the two places. present China did pay attention to the numbers entering Hong Kong: there were certain restrictions on these numbers, and China would continue to pay attention to the problem. Lord Goronwy-Roberts thanked Mr Huang for this. He said that in the past the Chinese authorities had been very helpful and he was grateful for this indication of their intention to continue to be so.
16.
At
But we
Dr Owen said there were no other major problems. did have some outstanding claims. Mr Huang owed him 20 consulates. He might be willing to swap some of these in exchange for Mr Cradock's new office accommodation!
:
5.
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAI
/17.