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Measures in Hong Kong
5.
The security forces in Hong Kong have stepped up patrols on
the Hong Kong side of the border, making the maximum possible use
of the available garrison, of the Hong Kong police force and of
local volunteers. As a result the ratio of those arrested to those
who evade capture has improved from 1:3 or 4 to 1:2 in recent
months.
6. The Chinese authorities have suggested that the Hong Kong
Government ought to repatriate illegals who evade capture and
surface later.
This would be undesirable because it would drive
illegals underground and create enormous problems of corruption,
exploitation etc.
7. Consideration has been given to the possibility of imposing
controls on legal immigrants. This would be very unwelcome to the
Chinese Government, who consider that their nationals have a
traditional right of free movement to Hong Kong (which they regard
as Chinese territory). The idea has not been pursued while the
figures appear to be moving in the right direction.
3. REINFORCEMENT OF HONG KONG
1. Securing the frontiers of Hong Kong is the responsibility of
the Royal Hong Kong Police Force, supported by the garrison. The
police have now committed 20% of their resources to this task: to
do more would endanger internal security. The Governor has asked
the Commander, British Forces, Hong Kong, to undertake increased
tasks, and the latter has therefore asked for additional land, sea
and air forces. The Ministry of Defence have confirmed that to
make the necessary resources available would involve penalties to
other commitments. In the MOD's judgement, these penalties would
CONFIDENTIAL
/be