TNAG-0281-FCO40-317-Visit-of-the-Chancellor-of-the-Duchy-of-Lancaster-to-Hong-Ko-1970 — Page 171

CONFIDENTIAL

Illegal Immigration

Nature and Volume of Trade

20. Since 1950 the Hong Kong Government has found it

necessary to restrict entry from the mainland and the

quota for legal immigration from the Kwangtung Province

is fifty a day. Strict measures are taken against illegal

immigration from China but because of the Colony's

geographical situation it is impossible to maintain

complete control. The Chinese border authorities

maintain a tight control on their side of the frontier

and there have been several incursions in recent months

by small parties of Chinese civilians from the mainland

into British territory in search of illegal emigrants

from China. No attempt is made by the Hong Kong authorities

to seek out and return those who succeed in entering the

Colony undetected. But illegal immigrants who are

intercepted are normally returned to China in accordance

with international practice when enquiries have failed

to reveal any good reason why they should not be so returned.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

21. Hong Kong's prosperity prior to 1950 rested on the

entrepot trade, principally with China. With the advent

of a Communist Government in China this trade dwindled

rapidly and in its place industry has assumed a dominant role. In 1949 Hong Kong's total trade (imports and exports)

was £317m: in 1969 it was £2,011m. Since Hong Kong has

to export to live it has long been the policy of the

Government to maintain free entry for all goods from

abroad other than a few items on which there is a tariff

for revenue purposes.

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CONFIDENTIAL