2
homes which they had built. They assess that as many as 7,000 homes have been demolished in this way, making up to 40,000 people homeless. (A copy is attached of a notice issued by the Qiaogangzhen authorities about the demolition plan, together
We also attach the rames with photographs showing its results. and photographs of the June and July arrivals, except for those who arrived today.)
Some
If urgent action is not taken to deter them, many more of those who have recently lost their homes will almost certainly try to follow the recent arrivals to Hong Kong. may already be on their way. Experience has shown that the only effective way to discourage further arrivals is for those who arrive in Hong Kong to be returned rapidly to China.
The
Two earlier episodes support this conclusion. largest influx of ECVII's into Hong Kong was from June to with the September 1987, with the arrival of over 7,400.
cooperation of the chinese authorities, all of these were returned to Guangdong and Guangxi before the end of the year. There was a further influx in October 1988 with around 760 arrivals. Again, with the assistance of the Chinese
In both authorities, these were returned with minimum delay. cases, the early return to China of the new arrivals proved an effective deterrent to others who might have been contemplating coming to Hong Kong. Immediately after the returns, the numbers of arrivals fell sharply.
The number of recent arrivals is not yet on the same
Bul if scale as the surges experienced in 1987 and 1988. decisive action is not taken now, a crisis of similar proportions may well develop.
We would therefore be grateful if
the Chinese authorities could agree urgently to accept the new
@