GR 200
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG 300825Z MAY
DESKBY FCO 3318002
DESKBY PEKING 31010OZ
CONFIDENTIAL
102
TOP COP
HKK 341/1
RECEIVED IN REG SKY NO. 51
3 1 MAY 1979
OFFICER
PA
INL
No
71.6 pe
TO IMMEDIATE F.C.0.
TELEGRAM NUMBER 632 OF 30 MAY, 1979
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING AND ROUTINE HONG KONG COVT. OFFICE LONDON.
PEKING TELMO 506: IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA,
1. IF THE CHINESE ARE RESPONDING TO OUR REQUEST FOR TALKS !
SUGGEST THE AMBASSADOR SHOULD SAY THAT WE ARE WILLING TO MEET
WHEREVER AND WHENEVER THEY WISH, THE SOONER THE BETTER.
2. IF THE CHINESE ONLY SPEAK ABOUT MEASURES
THEY THEMSELVES INTEND TO TAKE, I SUGGEST THE AMBASSADOR
SHOULD DRAW, AS APPROPRIATE, ON PARAGRAPH 1 OF MYTEL NO 676,
THE OPENING SECTION WOULD HAVE TO BE ALTERED TO SAY THAT
HONG KONG CAN ONLY REFRAIN FROM THE ACTION ON A QUOTA
ABOUT WHICH THE POLITICAL ADVISER WARNED NCNA ON 9 MARCH (MY TELNO 350), IF THE NUMBER OF LEGALS CONTINUES TO DROP
UNTIL IT REACHES A SATISFACTORY LEVEL,
3. IF THE CHINESE PRODUCE NEW IDEAS ON CONTROLLING NUMBERS
WE WILL OF COURSE HAVE TO STUDY THEM CAREFULLY. BUT THE
AMBASSADOR COULD SAY THAT WE ARE PREPARED TO LOOK AT ANY
REASONABLE SCHEME QUICKLY AND POSITIVELY.
4. IT IS JUST POSSIBLE THAT THE VICE MINISTER WILL REFER
TO A SCHEME THE CHINESE HAVE FLOATED LOCALLY FOR IMPORTING
SEVERAL HUNDRED BUILDING WORKERS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AT A
CONFIDENTIAL
/ TIME
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