Original at: HKK
HKK341|1
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SECRET
Para(s)GRS 700
SECRET
78
28
NO. 51
FM HONG KONG 290550Z SEPTEMBER 80
1026/17
HKK
TO IMMEDIATE F C O
RECEIV
TELEGRAM NUMBER 1256 OF 29 SEPTEMBER
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
DESK
INDEX is
29.1080
PA
M IP T: REDRAFTED POINTS TO MAKE ON IMMIGRATION
EXTENT OF PROBLEM
VERY CONCERNED ABOUT LARGE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS REACHING HONG KONG. WHEN MR BLAKER RAISED THIS WITH THE AMBASSADOR IN JUNE, THE DAILY AVERAGE WAS 262, IN AUGUST, THE AVERAGE WAS OVER 400, AND FOR SEPTEMBER EVEN HIGHER.
2. GREAT ACTIVITY BY BOTH SIDES BUT THE PROBLEM IS WORSENING. SERIOUS EFFECT ON HONG KONG. RISK TO STABILITY AND PROSPERITY.
CHANGE OF POLICY
3. HOW DO THE CHINESE SEE THE SITUATION ?.
4. SQUARE BRACKETS BEGIN DEPENDING ON THE REPLY - THE CHINESE ALREADY KNOW WE HAVE NEW MEASURES IN MIND AND THAT THE GOVERNOR WISHES TO DISCUSS THEM WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF GUANGDONG, END SQUARE BRACKETS. THE SITUATION NOW SO SERIOUS THAT GOVERNOR HAS CONCLUDED, WITH MY AGREEMENT, THAT PRESENT POLICY OF ALLOWING SUCCESSFUL EVADERS TO REMAIN AND WORK IN HONG KONG MUST BE ENDED. BEFORE STARTING TO SEND BACK I I'S DISCOVERED IN THE URBAN AREA, AND BEFORE FORBIDDING THEIR EMPLOYMENT, AN AMNESTY WILL BE GRANTED TO ALL ALREADY IN HONG KONG WHO APPLY FOR REGISTRATION. THIS WILL AVOID AN INITIAL CROWD BEING RETURNED TO CHINA. DO THE CHINESE AGREE THIS IS THE MOST PRACTICAL STEP TO TAKE ?.
COOPERATIVE ACTION
5. BUT IF THIS IS DONE AND THE FLOW STILL CONTINUES, BUILD-UP OF SUBMERGED WORLD OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS LIVING OUTSIDE LAW VERY SERIOUS FOR HONG KONG.
6. SUCCESS IN HALTING MOVEMENT THEREFORE VITAL. DEPENDS ON EFFORTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER. WILL THE CHINESE INTENSIFY THEIR MEASURES 7. WE BELIEVE THAT KEY LIES IN EXPLANATION TO RESIDENTS OF EMIGRANT AREAS THAT, WITH NO PROSPECT OF IMPLOYMENT IN HONG KONG AND EVERY PROSPECT OF BEING
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