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implemented by the Chinese authorities with dramatic effect.
}
The
daily average number of arrivals dropped from 229 a day in November
1973 tó 86 per day in December 1973. Travellers from China reported tha
'a quota system had been devised whereby up to 25 applicants a day could
be given exit permits in Guangdong and Fujian and up to 10 a day from
each of the other provinces. Another report in 1975 claimed that
further restrictions on the issue of exit permits had been imposed with
effect from July 1975. Chinese exit permits were only to be issued to
former Overseas Chinese but not to their families or relatives.
Through
the operation of controls such as these, the numbers of arrivals in
Hong Kong was reduced to an average for the year of 56 a day by the
end of 1976. This figure roughly equalled the flow of emigrants from
Hong Kong and therefore helped to maintain a natural balance in the
Colony's population.
Ľ
Tuota
Starting
115 Chinese control of emigration to Hong Kong since 1976.
sometime in 1977, the number of exit permits being issued by the Chinese
authorities and the numbers of Chinese arrivals in Hong Kong began to
rise (the daily average for 1977 was 70 per day). By the end of 1978
the numbers had escalated to alarming proportions (the daily average
1
concern.
for that year was 185 per day). Several approaches were made to the
Chinese authorities in Hong Kong, Peking and London to express HMG's
These included a discussion between the Secretary of State
(Dr Owen) and the Chinese Foreign Minister (Huang Hua) on 12 October
1978 when the latter was visiting the UK. However, the daily average rose still further in the first months of 1978 and in March the Hong Kong Government warned the Chinese authorities (through representations made by the Political Adviser to NCNA) that controls and quota system
{:』,-
would have to be imposed by Hong Kong to bring the number of arrivals
down to an acceptable level. About 50 per day was mentioned as an
acceptable nurier.
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