UNCLASSIFIED
2
the border and who reached the urban area were permitted to
remain in Hong Kong.
4.
A three-day period of grace will allow unregistered
illegal immigrants already in Hong Kong to obtain identity
cards.
5. There will be an appeals procedure allowing for some
exceptions on humanitarian grounds.
6. The Chinese Government were informed in advance and
are cooperating fully in combatting illegal immigration.
7. (Only if challenged on illegal immigrant designation):
These people are not refugees fleeing from political or
other persecution.
They enter Hong Kong illegally in search
of higher living standards, and are thus illegal immigrants.
: