TNAG-0802-FCO40-1006-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 29

CONFIDENTIAL

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There have been no such controls since 1967 (the Hong Kong Government admit all those to whom the Chinese authorities give exit visas) and, as the Governor says, the Chinese would certainly object strongly if we attempted to impose them now. is also very doubtful whether controls could be made to work without Chinese co-operation. It follows that a decision actually to introduce controls would require very careful consideration indeed. That said, the situation is already serious, and, as the Governor points out the threat of controls seems to have been effective on the last occasion it was used in 1973. (I attach a copy of an Aide Memoire handed to the Chinese Ambassador in London on 15 November 1973). I believe that it is worth trying again. But it is clearly important that the possibility of introducing controls should be mentioned in a way which does not at this stage commit us to any particular action or timetable. For that reason I think that it would be best to couch the reference to controls in even more general terms and to avoid specific mention of 'the measures of control normal before 1967". 5. An added complication to this problem has recently arisen with the arrival in Hong Kong of several groups of ethnic Chinese from Vietnam who have attempted to enter Hong Kong illegally after spending some time in China. The background is explained in my submission of 27 November. The Hong Kong Government have tried to treat these people in the same way as illegal immigrants from China and repatriate them to the People's Republic, but the Chinese authorities have so far refused to accept them. The Embassy in Peking raised this problem with the Foreign Ministry on 29 November, but have not yet had any response. In his telegram No 220 of 5 December to Peking, the Governor proposes that HM Ambassador should remind the Chinese authorities that a reply is outstanding at the same time as he raises the general immigration issue. I agree, particularly as the story has now broken in the Hong Kong press. Flag G (Hong Kong telegram No 222)

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6. I recommend that a telegram should be sent to Peking on the lines of the attached draft.

7 December 1978

Copy to:

FED concur.

Refugeren

R JT McLaren

Hong Kong and General Department

FED

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