TNAG-0735-FCO40-939-Policy-objective-for-the-developing-of-Hong-Kong-in-the-1980-1978 — Page 175

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IMMIGRATION

12 The high level of immigration into Hong Kong during the last six months has been worrying, and it

looks as if at the present rate we will have about

95,000 immigrants this year. This is something that

must be kept in perspective since the level of migration

changes considerably from year to year, and there is an

outflow to other countries as well as an inflow largely

from neighbouring provinces of China. In the five years

up to December 1976 the average annual arrivals from

China by all means were about 50,000 but Hong Kong's

overall average net gain by migration over the five-year

period was only 18,000 a year. But last year the net

gain rose to 33,000, and this year, if the current rate

is maintained, it could be as high as 60,000. At this

rate two extra very large housing estates, with all

accompanying facilities would be necessary each

year if standards were not to be diluted.

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We have explained both here directly, and through

diplomatic channels in Peking and London, the problems that

this rate of influx could present for us if it were allowed

to continue, and I very much hope to see the figures

gradually and substantially reduced.

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We also have a stream of arrivals of a different sort