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RESTRICTED

G.

EMIGRATION FROM HONG KONG

A

We are watching emigration trends carefully. It is hard to

establish trends with certainty: Hong Kong people are very mobile, and often spend some years abroad for reasons of study or

training before returning. But it seems that the number of emigrant

visas issued in 1987 by recipient countries showed a marked increase

over 1986. There are a number of reasons for this, including

increased opportunities for emigration to some leading recipient

countries, particularly Canada and Australia.

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Concern about the future may be one factor in influencing

people's decisions, but it is by no means the only one. do not

believe the pace of development of representative government is a

particularly significant factor in their decisions. The evidence is

that many people return to Hong Kong after they have obtained an

overseas passport.

B

RESTRICTED

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