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CONFIDENTIAL
COVERING SECRET
Ниод
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1A 2AH
11 June 1979
Call by the Governor of Hong Kong
HKK 026/14
25
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
INL
14 JUN1979
OFFICER
PA
REGISTRY
Action Taker
No 1714.6 Bl
The Prime Minister has agreed to see the Governor of Hong Kong at 6 pm on Thursday, 14 June, and has asked the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary to be present.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
The Governor is concerned about:
Vietnamese Refugees
There are now over 51,000 refugees in Hong Kong and there could well be 100,000 by the autumn. The inability of the Hong Kong Government to stem the tide is causing widespread concern and the Governor is under pressure to take more drastic measures.
Immigration into Hong Kong from China
Immigration from China is currently running at the highest level for very many years. Depending on the rate for the rest of the year, the total for 1979 could be anywhere between 200,000 and 400,000, mostly illegal. The Chinese, despite promises, have so far made no serious effort to control illegal immigration.
Reinforcement of the garrison
The task of patrolling the border areas and the outlying islands against illegal immigrants has extended the garrison : to its limits. The Governor and the Commander, British Forces, have asked for urgent reinforcements to limit the numbers of illegal immigrants and to shock the Chinese into taking action themselves. This request is being urgently considered by the Ministry of Defence.
(If there is time) New Territories Leases
The Governor may mention the problem of maintaining confidence in Hong Kong as 1997 approaches. The bulk of the Colony's territory (the New Territories) is leased from China under an agreement which expires in 1997, and all land leases in the New Territories end in that year.
Bryan Cartledge Esq 10 Downing Street
CONFIDENTIAL
COVERING SECRET
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