ཝཾ-'མབnrt
ནཀཱཡཾ ཏཾམཱུཔཱཙཱར";
CONFIDENTIAL
NOTE FOR THE RECORD
Conversation with Assistant Foreign Minister Song Zhiguang, Peking: 24 August
General
During conversation at the Diaoyutai Guest House on 24 August Song, after initial courtesies, said that co-operation between Hong Kong and China, particularly Guangdong, had increased greatly over the past few years. The various departments
I said that concerned were very satisfied with this. Iwe too were very pleased at the way in which relations
had improved. Of course there would always be problems to deal with, both immediate and longer term. But what was important was to have the right atmosphere
This we and framework within which to solve them.
now had. Song replied that there were no problems which could not be resolved.
Immigration
The
2.
I told Song that one of the present problems was immigration. Illegal immigration, thanks to our policy changes and co-operation between the two sides,
But the numbers was now more or less under control. coming for permanent settlement were still far too high at about 53,000 per year.
This had a serious effect on programmes for housing, education etc. problem was that, of those who came ostensibly on visits, very few returned. The period given for visitors permits was too long. Despite what the Governor and I had been told by Wang Kuang in October last year about the length being reduced to 3 months, some 20 per cent of permits were still for 12 months or more. The period needed to be reduced but without adding to the numbers coming for permanent settlement.
3.
Song replied that they were aware of the problem and were continuing to take measures to deal· with it. Hong Kong should return those whose permits had expired. Wang Benzou (Head of Western European Department) added that he remembered discussing the
He wanted me to know that subject with me in 1978. they understood our difficulties and did not want to add to them.
NCNA
4
During dinner Song asked me how we got on
He went out with Wang Kuang and Li Jusheng of NCNA. of his way to point out that Wang had been Director of the State Publishing Bureau where he ranked as the equivalent of a Vice-Minister and that Li mor a diplomat who ranked as the equivalent of an ambassador. I said that we saw a great deal of Wang and Li. Relations with NCNA and co-operation between the two sides was very good.
CONFIDENTIAL
/contd.
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