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though so far these have had no effect: the figures for legal
immigrants remain virtually unchanged, while the figures for
illegals are actually worse (though this may be in anticipation
of new Chinese measures which are confidently expected to come into
effect this month). The Governor may wish to suggest that we should
soon impose controls on legal immigration on the Hong Kong side
(which we have hitherto refrained from doing in deference to the
Chinese view that Chinese people have a traditional right of
uncontrolled access to Hong Kong). We shall need to consult
Sir Murray
HM Ambassador, Peking, before any decision is taken.
may also be able to suggest some new initiative on illegals if the
expected new measures do not soon begin to take effect.
Vietnamese Refugees
6. The problem of Vietnamese boat people also remains serious
for Hong Kong. Over 73,000 arrived during 1979, and only one-third
of that number were resettled. As the Secretary of State will be
aware, the Home Secretary has recently recommended to the Prime
Minister that we should complete the programme for bringing 10,000
Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong to the UK by the end of the next
financial year. This represents a considerable acceleration of the
original programme of taking them over 3 years, and will no doubt be
very welcome news to the Governor, who attaches importance to the
UK's setting the pace for other resettlement countries. The Governor
may also welcome a reassurance that we will continue wherever possible
to press other countries to give appropriate priority to Hong Kong
in their resettlement programmes.
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17.