TNAG-0664-FCO40-813-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 140

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

Arrests

SECRECEIVED IN

06159

REGISTRY NO. 51

9 AUG 1977

HICK 341 301

46

Ray Fater 159

2 MN Stewart jals -to kee

I M. con9/8

A.

Cars 4+11

hed Reseant Int

+ pa By method

3.

The total for the period 1 entry this was:

25 Jul was 178.

Land Border

Bays(MIRS & DEEP

Sea Total

For Comparison Jul 76

Jul 75

37

141

NIL

178

53

108

4. The arrest total for 1977 (868) now exceeds the years total (828) for 1976. All' agencies tend to agree that this is a reflection of the success of 1977 Border operations together with an increased intelligence effort devoted to the subject. There is however, the possibility that a high arrest rate might also be an indicator of an increased flow of illegal immigrants.

5. In percentage terms we can find some reassurance in a recent report (OIR T/4059/1/77 LDI Jun 77) from PAOAN County which claimed that 70% of all would-be escapees are either arrested in CHINA or repatriated from British Territory. The 70% figure was reportedly announced on 12/13 Jun at a 10,000 strong anti-escape meeting in SUNGKANG Commune. Although the percentage may have been exaggerated for deterrent purposes we have no evidence that such is the case.

Equally, having been addressed to PACAN County residents whom one might presume have a better chance of successful escape, it could be that the arrest to evasion percentages are even more favourable in respect of escapes from more distant counties.

Evasion Data

6. Returns from the Commissioner of Registration show that at 30 Jun a total of 1701 illegal immigrants had surfaced claiming entry in 1977. Of those who surfaced in June, 207 claimed to have entered in that same month. This 'same month' surrender figure is the highest since repatriation recommenced. This could indicate both alacrity in surfacing and a possible rise in the number evading. Although a few of those surfacing have waited several months as an insurance against possible repatriation, a majority (499) of the 689 who reported in Jun claimed a 1977 arrival date.

7. We have however, a report (OIR T/4062/1/77 LDI Jul 77) of an anti-illegal emigration meeting held in LUNGKANG Commune at which a PB CCP Branch Secretary reportedly opened the meeting with the statement that over the last few months more than 2,000 people had escaped to HONG KONG from FAOAN County alone.

8. Special Branch also report a Commune list of some 2630 people missing between 1 Jan 77 and a date in early Jun 77, from 12 of the 22 communes of PAOAN County. The list was compiled by a cadre of the PAOAN County Propaganda section and commune leaders were reported to have voiced the opinion that those missing were either in HONG KONG or had been arrested/repatriated and were in 'Chinese Reform Camps'. The Commune list was as follows:.

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