SECRET
measures in July when the daily average of illegal immigrants
arrested fell to 20. But the improvement was short-lived and
the situation is again causing serious concern. The relevant
figures are given in the table below.
Year
Legal Immigrants
Illegal Immigrants arrested and repatriated
1975
26,000
1,200
1976
20,000
800
1977
25,000
1,800
1978
67,490
8,220
1979: Jan-June
40,770
45,930
July
4,940
620
August
5,430
2,000
September
TOTAL (to September)
4,999
5,480
56,139
54,030
PROPERTY LEASES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES
10. There is also a less immediate problem which will have to
be settled before long. The point is fast approaching when the
expiry of the New Territories Lease in 1977 will begin to
affect confidence. The Chinese are aware of this and have been
at pains to reassure local and foreign investors that China is
satisfied with the status quo and has no early intention of
changing. it. Deng Xiaoping asked the Governor in April to tell
investors to put their hearts at ease. More recently, on
7 October, Hua Guofeng told a news conference that 'a good way
of settling the question [of the future of Hong Kong] could be
sought through consultations. But regardless of how the matter
is settled we will take notice of the interests of the
SECRET
- 5
/investors