TNAG-0801-FCO40-1005-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 82

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Mr Murray

HKK 341/1

RECEIVED NAND. 51

IM

-9 MAY 1978

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

REGISTRY Action Texan

37

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नभ

حسا

LEGAL IMMI GRATI ON FROM CHINA

1. In his telegram no. 568 of 4 May, the Governor of Hong Kong sought our agreement to the Political Adviser making an approach to the NCNA to seek a reduction in the flow of legal immigrants into Hong Kong. In your manuscript minute on the copy of the telegram below, you suggested that Hong Kong might be advised to hint at the possibility of imposing immigration controls in order to spur the Chinese to do something.

2. We have discussed these proposals with FED. Our conclusion is that, given the present state of our relations with the Chinese over Hong Kong, it may not be necessary to resort to threats of counter-measures in order to induce them to be co-operative. We believe, therefore, that at this stage we should accept Hong Kong's suggestion that the possibility of controls should not be mentioned. If the Chinese do not react to a straight-forward

request to be helpful, we may then need to consider taking firmer

further action.

3. I recommend, therefore, that we should reply to Hong Kong

on the lines of the attached draft.

5 May 1978

Cc: FED

W.E. Quantill

W E Quantrill

Hong Kong & General Dept

изми Tel sent.

CONFIDENTIAL

inth all the above.

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