CONFIDENTIAL
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that his government had no intention of creating problems for the Hong Kong authorities, but that there was a traditional right of movement between Hong Kong and other parts of China people ought to be able to travel to visit relatives and friends. I pointed out that you had made it clear to NCNA that we were quite prepared to talk about ways in which visits might be arranged that would not result in permanent additions to Hong Kong's population, and that such measures could be implemented when the legal and illegal figures had been brought down to tolerable levels. Your office and the NGNA meened, the most appropriate channel for an exchange of ideas, but we would be equally happy to discuss the possibilities in Peking if the Chinese side preferred, Jiang said the Chinese took the point that the Hong Kong authorities did not want to prevent an interflow of people between Hong Kong and China and had genuine problems with people who stayed too long, he hoped we appreciated equally that the Chinese had no intention of flooding Hong Kong and also had genuine difficulties They were taking steps: the numbers would continue to go down. I said that our concern that the figures were still too high should not conceal our appreciation of what had already been done: we were encouraged both by the trend in the figures and by the assurances given by Chinese Ministers and officials.
4
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Unless there is any dramatic change in the figures, we would plan to make a further approach in a fortnight'a time. We can decide the level of approach in light of the latest trend
5. I went on to ask Jiang about Vietnamese refugees and the disparity between Wang Benzou a figure of 230,000 and @ Gao Shikan's 270,000, I asked whether it was possible that the figure of 230,000 were those who had been permanently resettled whilst the 270,000 was the total number of immigrants. Jiang said that it was possible but he certain. also claimed to know little about Hartling's proposals and any possible intake of refugees from third countries. clear that Asian and Consular Departments are much better
we shall seek an
Wang's figure may have been out of dates not
It is
informed that WED about this problen, and much better.
early opportunity to find out a little more.
00: FED, FCO
HK&GD, FCO
CONFIDENTIAL
K Sullivan First Secretary