TNAG-0803-FCO40-1007-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 15

CONFIDENTIAL

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4. WE ARE NOW CONSIDERING METHODS OF EXERTING GREATER PRESSURE

ON THE LARGE NUMBERS WHO OVERSTAY. UNDER OUR EXISTING IMMIGRATION

POLICY WE LAND THOSE COMING FROM KWANGTUNG PROVINCE FOR AN UNLIMITED PERIOD, THOSE COMING FROM ELSEWHERE IN CHINA ARE LANDED

FOR 12 MONTHS. THIS PROCEDURE RECOGNISES THE REALITY THAT MOST OF THOSE WHO COME INTEND TO STAY. ADMINISTRATIVELY IT IS

CONVENIENT. IT IS, HOWEVER, ANOMALOUS TO APPEAR GENEROUS WHILE TRYING TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF IMMIGRANTS.

5. WE ARE SEEKING EXECUTIVE COUNCIL APPROVAL TO LIMIT THE INITIAL STAY OF ALL LEGAL ARRIVALS FROM CHINA TO THE PERIOD OF VALIDITY OF THEIR CHINESE DOCUMENTS OR 12 MONTHS, WHICHEVER IS LESS. THOSE (THE VAST MAJORITY) WHO WANT TO STAY LONGER WILL. THEN HAVE

TO APPLY FOR EXTENSIONS. WE COULD NOT, IN PRACTICE, REFUSE EXTENSIONS FOR THE REASONS IN PARA 2 ABOVE. BUT IT WILL CAUSE THOSE WHO STAY SOME INCONVENIENCE AND EXPENSE. WE WILL ALSO USE THE

OPPORTUNITY PROVIDED BY RENEWAL TO TRY TO PERSUADE PEOPLE TO

RETURN.

6. WE CANNOT EXPECT THAT OUR NEW PROCEDURE WILL DO MUCH TO REDUCE

NUMBERS. IT WILL, HOWEVER, SHOW THE CHINESE THAT WE HAVE TAKEN NOTE OF THEIR POINT AND HAVE DONE SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

MACLEHOSE

FILES

FED

HK & GD

M & VD

PUSD

PS/LORD GORONWY ROBERTS

MR.CORTAZZI

MR.MURRAY

COPIES TO:

HONG KONG GOVT. OFFICE

IN LONDON

:

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