COEDENTIAL
Part
vart A
58
VISIT OF DEPUTY UNDEK BEGRETARY OF STATE
(BIR LESLIE UCNSON
TO HONG KONG, COPYÜR" K. 19
Note No. 9
INJORATION OF COMMONWALTE CITIE NE INTO HONG KONG
On 27 August the Hong Kong Government announced that with effect from 8 September, 1969, they were introducing controls over the immigration of Commonwealth citizens into the Colony. Details of the scheme of control are set out in Foreign and Commonwealth telegram No. 478 to Rawalpindi a copy of which is attached. Visas will not be required in the ease of holders of U.K. passports issued in the U.K. or
visitors.
2. There has been ne såverse reaction from the Governmen ta
of Commonwealth sountries and territories, some of when were notified in advance of Hong Kong's intentiona,
3. The publicly stated reason for introducing the controls is the need to limit the immigration inte the Colony of
unskilled workers whe contribute nothing to the economy and
who may become a charge on publie revenues. In fact the controls are more specifically directed against the immigration of unakilled Pakistanis and Indians who were entering Hong Kong in increasing numbers during recent months. Moreover, it has been the strongly held view of Chinese unofficial members of the Hong Kong Executive Council that unrestricted entry of Commonwealth citizens into the Colony should not be allowed
to continue in view of the lack of reciprocal facilities for the unconditional entry of Hong Kong Chinese into other
Commonwealth countries.
4.
The position of Commonwealth citizens already living in
Hong Kong will be safeguarded.
Hong Kong Department October. 1969
PA
心
1.10.69.
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