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be guaranteed.
But the Hong Kong Government sympathised over the problem and would co-operate in showing how evidence might best be presented. It was important that the first case
succeeded.
Mr Zhang said that he would pass this on to the Guangdong authorities.
5. Mr Zhang indicated that a cut-back in illegal emigration would increase demands for legal exit. There were many visitors from Hong Kong to China, eg during festivals, There was plenty of to-ing and fro-ing. Dr Wilson commented that it was, in the case of Hong Kong, all to and no fro. Mr Zhang said that over-stayers should be persuaded (initially translated as "told") to return. Dr Wilson said that persuasion was already being applied. Mr Zhang said that views could continue to be exchanged with the intention of regularising the situation. He thought that a normal inter-change of visitors was possible. He indicated that the situation might be alleviated, eg with the development of the special regions. Dr Wilson said that the problem was transitional, while economic differences were so great. In the next few years there must be either a proper system for visits or control on total numbers. Some people, whom Dr Wilson did not himself believe, said that China was deliberately trying to lower living standards in Hong Kong through emigration. Mr Zhang said that such people were ignorant. China's policies were aimed at a stable and prosperous
Hong Kong,
6.
The discussion was adjourned for lunch at which Dr Wilson mentioned the delays in processing the return of refugees from
Vietnam who had been settled in China and who were meantime being held in prison in Hong kong. Mr Zhang said that China's policy was to return such people to their place of settlement,
where financial provision had been made for them. It took time
to establish the relevant facts.
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