CONFIDENTIAL
SCR 2/4841/66
13 January, 1978
W thoupson
K Sullivan Esq PEKING
OVERSEAS CHINESE
25 JAN
5.*'
عشر
No no
Thank you for your interesting letter of 9 January
about Liao Ch'eng-chih's article.
2.
There are indeed implications for Hong Kong in the prospect of large numbers of people leaving China to visit their overseas relations. Üur experience in the past has been that many of those allegedly on their way elsewhere stay in Hong Kong. As you may know, we are already concerned about the number of legal immigrants from China.
This new policy may increase our problems. We will be watching the results closely.
3.
II.T
South-East Asian representatives here have been looking at Liao's article with some concern. They tend to focus on the sections which talk about a "united front" and those who take local citizenship continuing to be "kinsmen". They pay less attention to the more positive aspects of Liao's statement where he encourages obedience to local laws or contributing to the local economy.
The Director of Singapore ISD, who is here on a visit, told me tast night that his Prime Minister had already been on to him about the article; they are now doing a detailed analysis.
4.
I will be very interested to hear what our own expert s make of the article when it has been compared with pre-Cultural Revolution policy (Stephen FitzGerald's book would be a good starting point). Meanwhile I have taken the liberty of copying your letter and its enclosure to Chanceries in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Manila.
CC
(D C wilson)
WE Quantrill Esq (KGD FCO)✓ CC Hayward Esq (FLD FCO)
South-East Asian Department (FCC) Chancery Singapore
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#1
$8
Kuala Lumpur
Bangkok
Manila
COMMEALTIAL
8
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