TNAG-0664-FCO40-813-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 128

Mr Stewart

Reference.....

CONFIDENTIAL

SI

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA

1.

You might like to know that 221 illegal immigrants from China were arrested in Hong Kong last month and that this figure is the second highest arrest figure since repatriation commenced on 30 November 1974.

2.

3.

There are two possible reasons for this:

a.

there was a drought through the winter of last year and the spring of this in counties near to Hong Kong and this may have increased the numbers of those wishing to leave China; and

b.

there is evidence to suggest that border operations this year to date have been more successful than in previous years.

a little concerned that

The effects of the drought apart, the border forces should now be catching more illegal immigrants than hitherto. There is a danger that too great an efficiency on the part of the army or police, especially if it was the result of new or harsh methods, might attract political attention at our policy of returning illegal immigrants. I think it worthwhile enquiring from the MOD about this.

4.

w/475 You might also like to see a copy of an Overt Intelligence

Report (OIR) for 1 July 1977 which reports the execution of a man found guilty of smuggling escapees out of China by junk. This report has already been the subject of some minuting between myself and Mr Milton.

CODE 18 - 17

T

mo ر که رکه

17 August 1977

Copy to: Mr Orr

FED

Dr Hoare Research Dept

FEA recommend 1f1.

! ?

18/0

T J David

Hong Kong & General Department

In David

150ggest.

that you

waiter F.E.D's meceding

before doing anything. I am not quite clear what would be the perpuse of "enquining

Rome mos"

CONFIDENTIAL

July