CO129-604-5 Immigration- control over entry from China 4-3-1948 - 6-1-1949 — Page 31

Drij, on 54228/1/48

EXTRACT FROM SAVINGRAM NO.80 FROM THE GOVERNOR, HONG KONG, TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES, DATED 29TH

SEPTEMBER, 1948.

9

31

2. As part of their currency control measures the Chinese authorities since September 12th have required Chinese travellers from Shanghai to Hong Kong 1 to obtain exit permits. It is believed that a similar system will be put into force for Canton. The Chinese Foreign Office has informed the British Embassy in Nanking that to make such control completely effective it would be necessary to control the land frontier between Hong Kong and China, and that special passes would be arranged for Chinese residents in the frontier area in order not to interfere with the supply of foodstuffs to Hong Kong. They emphasised that the travel restrictions were not directed at Hong Kong but were designed to prevent rich Chinese taking refuge in Hong Kong. Over 30,000 Chinese are alleged to have left Shanghai for Hong Kong recently. The restrictions are not likely to harm Hong Kong, and they may provide a useful precedent should Hong Kong wish to enforce at any time immigration control on its side of the frontier.