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influx this rate of run-down is acceptable. But if Hong Kong is subjected to another flood this summer, or unemployment rises, comparisons between Hong Kong's treatment and the rapid off-take from other countries, such as Malaysia, will add a dangerous element of bitterness to public reaction.
Immigration from China
9
ą.
The problems posed by the Vietnamese refugees would have caused less concern had they not coincided with a much larger influx from China.
10.
The rate of legal immigration from China dropped from a peak of 310 a day in December 1978 to stabilize at about 150 a day over the last 4 or 5 months. The total in 1979 was 70,000.
.11. The rate of illegal immigration from China by boat, swimming or border crossing shot up during the year. 90,000 were arrested compared with 8,000 in 1978. We believe about 110,000 evaded arrest and have been absorbed into Hong Kong. The numbers increased dramatically in May after the 42nd Army group, which normally is quartered in the approaches to the land border, was transferred to the Vietnam front. They dropped away equally dramatically when reinforcement of the garrison, strong representations to the Chinese and an anti-illegal emigration campa ign in China coincided with the Army group's return. But the impact gradually ebbed away and arrests peaked at 480 a day in December. Since then, and following renewed representations, and the introduction of new measures by the Chinese, the average dropped to a bout 120 a day though there are very large fluctuations.
12. It is becoming clear that the Chinese will not further reduce legal immigration, and cannot reduce illegal immigration - at least without taking measures more drastic than have been acceptable in the existing political climate. The weakness in rural discipline of which this influx is but one symptom, must be objectionable to the Chinese authorities, and the pendulum in Peking seems to be swinging against the movement for greater freedom, so an attempt may be made at more effective measures. However the enormous difference in living standards between Guangdong and Hong Kong acts like a magnet on the rural under-employed, and the process of bringing this population movement under control is likely at best to be prolonged and irregular.
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