TNAG-0893-FCO40-1103-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 39

CONFIDENTIAL

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12.

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Illegal Immigration from China

5. Hong Kong's problems are compounded by a sharp increase in

illegal immigrants from China. While only 8,000 were arrested in

the whole of 1978, approximately 48,000 have been arrested and

returned to China already this year (and at least twice as many are believed to have avoided arrest and succeeded in entering

Hong Kong). The Government have stepped up border patrols, while

attempts are being made to persuade the Chinese authorities to take.

effective action to control the flow from their side. The garrison has been temporarily reinforced to help cope with the extra burden.

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CONFIDENTIAL

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