CONFIDENTIAL
2
our last Inspection was carried out.
4. A large and increasing proportion of these applications relate to llong Kong (currently around 85% of callers and 40% of letters): this despite the fact that the message has got through: that applications for visas to or settlement in dong Kong are no longer being considered. Many applicants are now also aware that we are advising those transiting Hong Kong that visas are not necessary provided onward visas for.countries of final destination have been obtained, and entry to Hong Kong is at Shenzhen/Lowu. But we are still under pressure to issue and are in many cases issuing visas to those who:-
(i) have not obtained visas for countries of final destination
but can show satisfactory evidence of their ability to obtain such visas in Hong Kong and of their intention to complete their journey;
(ii) wish to enter Hong Kong by some other means than the bridge
at Lowu or
(iii)
claim that the local branches of the Public Security Bureau or other responsible Chinese authorities are not prepared to grant them exit visas and/or travel facilities until they have obtained a Hong Kong visa in addition to that of their country of final destination.
5. In many cases of (i), we can take a hard line, since most coun-
tries to which FRC citizens wish to travel are represented in Peking, and the Americans are now operating in Guangzhou as well. But by turning such people away and allowing the word to spread around that there is no point nor need in them applying to us, we are giving up the opportunity to spot forgeries, lapsed papers, and "easy" visas, such as the Yugoslav 3 months visit visa which is obtainable on application (and which the Chinese have agreed, in principle, at least, to refuse to accept as valid for exit via Hong Kong). However, in addition to this, as you will know from Mick Frost's letter of 31 December 1979 to Faul Bleight home, we are receiving an increasing number of applications for travel to countries which are not represented in leking. The most common destinations are those
/in