TNAG-0904-FCO40-1114-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 88

GF 323

CONFIDENTIAL # HKIG

MELO

고

fcd

From: Director of Immigration

29

To: Distribution below

Ref : (50) in 1 CR 265 Pt 14

Tel : 5-456065

Date: 13 February 1979

HRK 341/1

20 FEB

Entrants from China and Macad N.

The statistical returns for January 1979 are

attached. The figures now exclude CPG passport holders with onward visas, who generally do not become permanent additions to Hong Kong's population.

2.

The daily average figure for legal immigrants fell from 311 in December to 262 in January. The reason for this was a very substantial reduction in the number of Fuki enese immigrants who gained exit from China on the pretext of going to the Philippines, from some 3,000 in December to only 52 in January.

3.

It is reported that certain local authorities in China, including Fukien, are restricting the issue of exit permits to those who have permission to enter Hong Kong. This, together with measures introduced on 15 January 1979 by Immigration Department to encourage "visitors" from China to return to China at the end of their permitted stay, has stimulated an unprecedented demand for Hong Kong Entry Permits. Over 29,000 forms have been issued since 15 January (less than 300 similar permit applications were received during the whole of 1978). The impact of this development is now being assessed.

4.

3,901 illegal immigrants from China were arrested during the month (including 1,967 former residents of North Vietnam who are believed to have arrived by sea from China) compared with 2,303 in December (including 1,160 ex North Vietnam).

5.

the month.

2000

3 illegal immigrants from Macao were arrested during

Encls

Castan

A J Carter

for Director of Immigration

CONFIDENTIAL ##