TNAG-0743-FCO40-947-Relations-between-China-and-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 228

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Governments. Indeed, the Chinese have recently strengthened the link by upgrading the post. The new Director paid an official call on the Governor, and the Governor reciprocated by attending the Director's Chinese National Day Reception. Both these events were unprecedented and weaken the Chinese case for an Official Representative since they can hardly argue that they are being denied any of the functions of a Representative.

Immigration from China into Hong Kong

5. The continuing influx of immigrants from China places a considerable strain on social services in Hong Kong. The greatest number of immigrants arrive legally with exit permits issued by the Chinese Government. Following representations at ministerial and ambassadorial level in London and Peking in 1973, the Chinese reduced the rate at which legal immigrants were arriving to a manageable 50 to 60 per day. In 1977 this rate gradually rose; earlier this year it increased sharply. Despite repeated approaches to the Chinese in Hong Kong and Peking, it has remained at a level of over 180 per day since June. In September the rate was over 220 per day, and a total of 42,000 legal immigrants have already entered Hong Kong from China this year.

The

6. In addition there is the problem of illegal immigrants. Hong Kong Government have adopted a policy of repatriating those illegal immigrants caught in the act of entering Hong Kong. Nonetheless, it is estimated that some 14,500 illegal immigrants have succeeded in entering Hong Kong already this year.

7. The Chinese Government appear to understand the practical

problems that this influx creates for Hong Kong. But they claim

that, because responsibility for issuing exit permits has been devolved to local authorities, it is difficult for the government

to control the numbers. We accept that this difficulty is genuine,

but not insuperable. We hope that the Chinese will realise that if the immigrants continue to arrive in Hong Kong at the present rate this will pose a threat to the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong,

which is no more in the Chinese interest that it is in ours.

CONFIDENTIAL