Mr Donald
222
iti
нкіс 341
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
INDEX
$
30 OCT 1980
CONFIDENT FALISTRY
PA
Action Taken
29/10 Mry Clefs (again)
ملا
Узоло
NEW IMMIGRATION MEASURES, HONG KONG :
EFFECT ON NON-CHINESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
1. The new measures on illegal immigration to Hong Kong from China will have some effect on people in the Territory from other countries. Hong Kong's policy has been that the 'touch base' convention whereby illegal immigrants from China who had reached the urban areas would not be sent back has not applied to illegal immigrants from other countries. Now that that convention has been ended, the new regulations on Identity Cards and employment will bring to light a number of people who have entered Hong Kong over the years and have evaded the notice of the Immigration authorities.
2. The two largest groups are probably from Macao and India. So far as the former are concerned, there has been a regular arrangement for sending them back to Macao and I think this will not be greatly affected by the new situation. There could be, however, a number of Indians and possibly some others, from, eg the Philippines and Thailand and Taiwan
3. I telephoned Dr Wilson, the Political Adviser, about this today. I asked the extent of the problem, pointing out that if large numbers of people were returned, for instance to India, this could cause political embarrassment and we would wish to be consulted. Dr Wilson fully took the point. He said that he thought the rules would be applied pragmatically with considerable allowance made for people who had been in the Territory for some time. He undertook to look into it and to ensure that a telegram was sent to us tomorrow or Thursday.
4.
I think that this will probably work out all right but
we must obviously keep a close eye on it.
Bip
28 October 1980
R D Clift
Hong Kong and General Department
се
Mr Coles SAD
Mr Daunt SED
Mr McLaren FED Mr Burns SEAD Mr Morrice
You
were
night to put your funger
on this, but I believe that the HKGovt Immigration Dept will be able to deal pragmatically with this aspect.
CONFIDENTIAL
As$287,0