CONFIDENTIAL
still 3 times as high as Hong Kong can comfortably absorb. There
is also a serious problem with illegal immigrants from China.
Over 30,000 are believed to have arrived in 1978.
This year
already the figure is probably at least twice that. On the Hong Kong side, measures are being taken to intensify border
surveillance. We have pressed the Chinese to tighten controls
on their side.
CHINA/SOVIET UNION
6. When the Chinese abrogated their Friendship Treaty with
the Soviet Union on 3 April, they also put forward a proposal
for negotiations about their bilateral relationship. Both
sides have since shown a further tentative interest in this and
the Russians published the text of an aide memoire dated 4 June
proposing talks in July/August in Moscow.
CONFIDENTIAL