HKK 3411
MELLIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
2 4 APR 1980
OFFICER
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
REGISTRY
PA
Action Tak,
то
прия
London SW1A 2AH
23 April 1980
From The Minister of State
Peter Blaker MP
Sean Michael,
74
Thank you for your letter of 10 April enclosing one from your constituent,
about immigrants to Hong Kong.
I recognise your constituent's great concern about the matter. She has herself suggested an important distinction which I should like to develop. The Hong Kong Government has displayed active humanitarian concern for the tens of thousands who last year reached the territory in small boats from Vietnam. These people are internationally recognised as refugees. They should not be confused with the many thousands who each year illegally cross the border from China to Hong Kong. These people leave their country through no concern about persecution, or their physical safety, but because they are attracted to the higher standard of living in Hong Kong. They are not therefore regarded either by Her Majesty's Government or by the Hong Kong Government as refugees.
Since 1967, the Hong Kong authorities have not imposed any controls on people arriving legally from China; ie those to whom the Chinese issue exit permits. Illegal immigrants, on the other hand, where apprehended during their attempt to reach Hong Kong, are fed, looked after and repatriated to China. Each repatriation case is considered on its merits and allowance is made for a few with special claims who are not returned.
Michael Grylls Esq MP House of Commons
/As
80