2 CONFIDENTIAL
unitary system of citizenship, its Members should be pleased that we
have persuaded the Home Office to make provision for a separate
category of citizenship for the Dependent Territories as a whole.
The White Paper allows for further discussion of the title of this
category.
6. Expatriate businessmen are concerned about proposal that British
citizenship should not be transmitted beyond first generation born
overseas. White Paper recognises need to make exception
of businessmen who maintain close links with the UK.
in the case
7. The proposed changes in Nationality Law will not affect the present
rights of entry on visits to the UK.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA
8. (See Brief No.10) Although the Executive Council have approved
the Governor's proposals to repatriate all illegal immigrants (Operation
Champion), the Legislative Council have not yet been consulted. They
are expected to support such measures given the continuing high rate
of immigration from China. The Secretary of State should therefore
seek to assure Unofficials that we are very much aware of the serious-
ness of the problem and are actively considering any measures which
will reduce the flow.
LEGAL IMMIGRATION
which is
9. Chinese citizens with valid documents are permitted to enter Hong
Kong and, if they decline to return to China, to remain in Hong Kong.
At the end of 1978 the numbers involved had risen to over 300 a day.
This rate has declined and stabilised at around 150 a day
still treble the normal rate of emigration from Hong Kong.
Chinese Government would oppose any move to impose controls on legal
immigrants.
NEW TERRITORIES LEASES AND THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG
The
10. (See Brief No.11) This is a very sensitive issue and knowledge
of the work done on it is confined in Hong Kong to the Governor and a
CONFIDENTIAL
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