TNAG-0904-FCO40-1114-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 67

CONFIDENTIAL

LINE TO BE TAKEN BY THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG IN REPLY TO PROPOSALS BY NCNA FOR NEW PROCEDURES TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM OF IMMIGRATION IN TO HONG KONG FROM CHINA

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"I

X

(A)

(B)

It is essential that the number entering Hong Kong be limited. We have noted the reference in the Wen Wei Po article to restrcitions imposed by the Hong Kong Government. At the moment such restrictions dor not, of course, exist. But the time is coming when such restrictions will be inevitable unless something is done by the Chinese authorities within the next two months.

We therefore welcome the Chinese proposal to issue single journey permits on a very restricted basis. Provided that this reduces the numbers for permanent residence to fifty a day the need for restrictions by Hong Kong in respect of this category will not arise.

(C) Until this figure has been reached and maintained for a sufficient period to demonstrate that the situation has been brought under control, we would have to regard all who arrive as potential permanent residents. For the time being, therefore, we consider the two-way permit proposal as premature unless the overall numbers of holders of all types of permits arriving at Lowu are under fifty a day.

(D)

However once the situation is under control we would gladly work out mutually acceptable additional arrangements for genuine short visits as envisaged in the Chinese proposal for two-way permits. However we do not see how we could arrange to send back overstayers unless:-

(i) the numbers were small (at any rate to start with),

(ii) the length of visit was kept fairly short,

(iii) the host in Hong Kong to be visited entered into

a written agreement with the Hong Kong Government, in advance, that the visitors would leave within a specific period. This would mean in practice that persons with two-way permits would only be admitted at Lowu if in possession of a copy of the agreement regarding their return between their hosts and the Hong Kong Government. "

CONFIDENTIAL