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reducing the number of people trying to cross illegally into Hong Kong.
In 1978 however a total of 8,123 illegal immigrants were repatriated
to China and it is estimated that some 30,000 evaded detection.
1979, a total of 89,652 were repatriated, with an estimated 117,000
evading detection. This situation led the British Government in June
to agree to reinforce the seriously garrison with one and a half
battalions, helicopters and naval craft. Together with measures adopted
by the Chinese provincial authorities, under directions from Peking,
this led initially to a dramatic drop in the numbers of illegal
immigrants. However, the numbers gradually rose again, to 15,202 in
December 1979. After an initial decline, the level of illegal immig-
ration rose from about 135 a day in January 1980 to over 400 by
October. On 23 October, new legislation was enacted abolishing the
policy by which immigrants who reach urban areas of Hong Kong were
allowed to stay and register for identity cards. All illegal immig-
rants may now be repatriated and, to make this work, it is now compulsory
to carry an identity card in Hong Kong and illegal to employ anyone without proof of identity.
5.11 Legal immigration also poses a problem. The Hong Kong authorities
have not imposed any controls on people arriving from China since 1967: they accept all those to whom the Chinese issue exit permits. Following
the sharp rise in the numbers of immigrants in the early seventies,
an informal understanding was reached with the Chinese which led to
the number of exit permits issued being limited to about 50 per day.
There would be no problem for Hong Kong in absorbing new arrivals at
this rate. However, at the end of 1977 the rate of arrivals began to
rise sharply and by the end of 1978 immigrants from China were crossing
at a rate of over 300 per day. The current level is about 150 per day,
but this continues to be well above the acceptable level, and remains
a cause for concern.
Hong Kong and General Department
May 1982
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