TNAG-0376-FCO40-422-Discussions-with-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 20

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other's National Day receptions; but first he had asked Mr Dick Lee

to arrange for them to meet over a meal.

AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH CHINA

18. Mr Wilford said that Sir John Addis had spoken in strong terms

to the Chinese about their recent demands over China Airlines.

Mr Royle said that if the Chinese pressed too much on this, we would

rather drop the Air Services Agreement than ditch Cathay Pacific

Airways. Sir Murray MacLehose said he did not think the Chinese

would drop the question altogether. It might, however, go into

abeyance. He thought we should keep an eye on the Japanese.

they decided to put pressure on Taiwan it was conceivable that

China Airlines would change their name rather than lose their

traffic rights, so the problem for Hong Kong would disappear.

CHINESE IMMIGRATION INTO HONG KONG

19.

If

Sir Murray MacLehose said the problem of "legal" immigration

through Lowu was becoming serious. Our mission in Peking had been

consulted and the Hong Kong Government would talk about it to the

NCNA. It was not illegal immigrants who were particularly

important; but if the influx of people leaving China legally and

then taking up residence in Hong Kong went on at its present rate,

this would disrupt the social services programme. The line which

we were taking on those whom the Chinese wanted to be returned for

trial for murder seemed right to him; but it was a difficult issue.

VISITS

20. Mr Royle mentioned that, as Sir Murray MacLehose knew, the

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/Duke