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Annex A
Annex B
CONFIDENTIAL
BRIEF FOR THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO CHINA
Immigration from China
Since the beginning of 1978 the number of legal immigrants from China has increased at an alarming rate. In 1977 the total number of immigrants from China was 25,373, i.e. an average of 70 per day. In 1978 a total of 67,495 immigrants entered Hong Kong legally. The rate in December 1978 was 310 a day. Immigration statistics since 1971 are given at Annex A.
2.
Several approaches have been made to the Chinese authorities locally and in Peking and London to express our concern. These include a discussion between the Secretary of State and the Chinese Foreign Minister on 12 October 1978 when the latter was visiting the UK. An extract from the note of meeting is at Annex B.
3.
The number of new arrivals has decreased slightly from the high point of 310 per day in December 1978 to 270 in February 1979. The decrease from December was a result of the Chinese authorities ceasing to issue passports to people who claimed that they were travelling on to the Philippines, but had no vises.
4.
The daily average so far for March up to the 14th of the month is 230 (equivalent to 84,000 per year).
Illegal Immigration
5.
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The number of illegal immigrants from China has also shown a dramatic increase. In 1977 a total of 1,815 illegal immigrants from China were arrested (1,779 repatriated). In 1978 the number increased to 8,205 (8,123 repatriated). In January and February this year a total of 4,648 were arrested (4,453 repatriated). Τη February 1979 the average number of arrests per day was 97 as compared with 7 in February 1978.
CONFIDENTIALonta...............
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