TNAG-0441-FCO40-506-Visits-of-leading-personalities-of-Hong-Kong-to-UK-1974 — Page 31

CONFIDENTIAL

IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA INTO HONG KONG

1.

The essence of this problem is that the rate of immigration,

legal and illegal, from China to Hong Kong is at the moment running

at an annual rate of about 50,000. This is unacceptably great for

Hong Kong because of the burden it places on the social and

administrative services of the Colony. If Sir Albert mentions

this problem, Lord Goronwy-Roberts might say that we share Hong

Kong's concern about the effects of this influx. We have been dis-

cussing the problem with the Chinese for some months. As Sir

Albert will be aware, the Chinese took steps late last year to

reduce the influx of legal immigrants. The Governor of Hong Kong

still regards the numbers coming in as too great.

discussing with him and with the Ambassador in Peking what further

steps are necessary.

We are

CONFIDENTIAL