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Bridge has apparently been increasing. If we analyse the situation coolly, we will realise there is no need to worry excessively. Some people fear that too many people are coming to Hong Kong and they make a lot of noise about it. However, the growing number of people coming to Hong Kong all these years has not "become a social burden" to Hong Kong or "slowed down economic development". In Hong Kong at present there is full employment and a shortage of labour force. Some trades even recruit workers from SE Asia. It is therefore evident that the immigration problem is not as serious as imagined.
Compatriots in China and the people of Hong Kong are related in flesh and blood. Their close ties cannot be cut by the indiscriminate introduction of rules and regulations. What often happens is that the more and the stricter the immigration restrictions, the greater the psychological effect, just as when there is a shortage of certain products or when it is announced that a certain product will increase its price, this immediately leads to panic buying. Once there is an announcement to restrict immigration, everyone will rush to obtain application forms. Those already in Hong Kong will be afraid to leave again even if they can. For example, those who have obtained identity cards with green chops dare not go abroad until they have their documents stamped for seven consecutive years. This means "freezing" some of the people in Hong Kong. The creation of such man- made tensions is quite unnecessary,
Nothing remains unchanged. As China develops and her situation normalises, there will be a natural development in the relations between her and Hong Kong. Even though the number of immigrants may increase rather rapidly at one stage and thus being regarded as a problem, it will gradually ease' down if the problem is dealt with in a constructive and proper manner. If passive, drastic and complicated measures are rashly taken without considering the people's actual situation, it may have a negative effect.
Political Adviser's Office
HONG KONG
21.3.79
CC
Chancery, Peking
FED, F CO
HK & G D, F CO
CC
Cc PS/GH
C S
S for S
PA
D of I (3).
DIS
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