TNAG-0801-FCO40-1005-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 179

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Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

in The Lord Goronwy-Roberts

4 January 1978

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NOW ANG: ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

During our discussions on 7 December I promised to obtain

tion concerning illegal immigration from China to ong. The Hong Kong authorities have now sent details and * writing to pass on the information that you asked for.

The latest available figures show that 1,678 illegal immigrants Lad been repatriated to China in 1977 so far, although 25,000 people have been granted exit visas from China to come to Hong Kong and have been legally admitted. The Hong Kong authorities add that for every illegal immigrant arrested at least four escape detection and that these are always granted permission to stay 1 they apply for it later.

You asked about the criteria which immigration officials use to decide whether or not to permit an illegal immigrant to stay. I know that you will appreciate that I cannot release information which, if it became public knowledge, might jeopardize the informal Hong Kong/Chinese agreement or which might allow illegal immigrants to make up a more convincing case than would be justified by their

stances. I have, however, looked into this again and I am od that, where there are strong humanitarian or political ds, or where an illegal immigrant would face physical danger she were repatriated, permission to stay in Hong Kong Lated.

Roper IP of Commons

SHIA OAA

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