CONFIDENTIAL
VISIT OF MR PETER BLAKER MP TO HONG KONG: 23-25 SEPTEMBER 1979
BRIEF NO. HK7:
PRESS CONFERENCE
POINTS TO MAKE IN ANSWER TO QUESTIONS
BRITISH GOVERNMENT POLICY TOWARDS HONG KONG
1.
The British Government regard Hong Kong as a success story,
and greatly admire all that has been achieved here. We accept
that we have a special responsibility towards the territory, and
will do all we can to promote and defend Hong Kong's interests in
the world.
IMMIGRATION INTO HONG KONG FROM CHINA
2. We are well aware of problems created by high level of immi-
gration. We have pressed Chinese Government to take effective
action, and it is clear that they have made genuine efforts both
to reduce the numbers being allowed to cross legally, and to stem
the flood of illegals. But the situation is still far from satis-
factory and we shall continue to urge the Chinese to do more.
2
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
3. The Chinese clearly have a realistic appreciation of the part
Hong Kong can play in their drive for modernisation. The reassur-
ances given to the Governor by the Chinese leaders during his visit
to Peking were clear and emphatic.
Sino-British relations are
excellent: we are looking forward to the visit of the Chinese
Premier, Hua Guofeng, to Britain next month. So the outlook is
very good.
CHINESE OFFICIAL REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG
4.
We are aware that the Chinese raise the question of official
CONFIDENTIAL
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