CONFIDENTIAL
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7
from the past practice of stamping only their
declarations of entry was an understandable
response to the problem of some very frequent
Taiwanese border crossers who had been conducting
unauthorized traffic in goods between China and
Hong Kong. But bona fide travellers were running
into trouble on their return to Taiwan.
(b)
Groups of Chinese labourers transitting Hong Kong
on their way to construction projects in other
countries were no longer able to use the ferry
terminal. This was also an understandable
response by Immigration Department to an abuse
(an elaborate ploy for emigration via Macau).
Again, it caused inconvenience to some bona fide
groups.
Ji asked us to reconsider these points. We agreed to look at
them, but gave no commitments. Immigration Department and
Security Branch are considering.
8.
Ji added, as a personal observation not for the
record, that the increase in group tour numbers might relieve
some of the pressure for two way permit visitors. We said we
hoped that this would be so; two way visitor numbers were
currently running at the limit of our capacity.
CONFIDENTIAL