TNAG-0850-FCO40-1060-Future-of-Hong-Kong-New-Territories-leases-1979 — Page 59

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measures in July when the daily average of illegal immigrants

arrested fell to 20. But the improvement was short-lived and

the situation is again causing serious concern. The relevant

figures are given in the table below.

Year

Legal Immigrants

Illegal Immigrants arrested and repatriated

1975

26,000

1,200

1976

20,000

800

1977

25,000

1,800

1978

67,490

8,220

1979: Jan-June

40,770

45,930

July

4,940

620

August

5,430

2,000

September

TOTAL (to September)

4,999

5,480

56,139

54,030

PROPERTY LEASES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES

10. There is also a less immediate problem which will have to

be settled before long. The point is fast approaching when the

expiry of the New Territories Lease in 1977 will begin to

affect confidence. The Chinese are aware of this and have been

at pains to reassure local and foreign investors that China is

satisfied with the status quo and has no early intention of

changing. it. Deng Xiaoping asked the Governor in April to tell

investors to put their hearts at ease. More recently, on

7 October, Hua Guofeng told a news conference that 'a good way

of settling the question [of the future of Hong Kong] could be

sought through consultations. But regardless of how the matter

is settled we will take notice of the interests of the

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/investors