TNAG-0904-FCO40-1114-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 94

CONFIDENTIAL

(IV)

(V)

(VI)

IF, DESPITE OUR DESIRE TO THE CONTRARY, WE ARE OBLIGED TO INTRODUCE RESTRICTIONS, WE WOULD GIVE DUE NOTICE.

IF, FOR ANY REASON, THE FLOW INCREASES RAPIDLY WE WOULD

HAVE TO IMPOSE RESTRICTIONS EARLIER THAN ENVISAGED ABOVE.

(THIS IS TO COVER THE POSSIBLILTY OF IMPENDING RESTRICTIONS

LEAKING)

FOR THE TIME BEING, AND UNTIL THE FLOW CAN BE BROUGHT TO A REASONABLE LEVEL, WE MUST ASSUME THAT ALL ENTRANTS WITHOUT VISAS ARE COMING HERE FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE.

LATER IF THE SITUATION SETTLES DOWN, WE WOULD BE

PREPARED TO CONSIDER ARRANGEMENTS FOR TEMPORARY VISITS

PROVIDED WE COULD BE SURE THAT THESE, COULD BE

ADEQUATELY POLICED.

3. SINCE THE SENDING OF MY PROPOSALS FOR ACTION ON IMMIGRATION

WE HAVE THE NEW SITUATION OF CHINA'S ATTACK ON VIETNAM. I WOULD

BE GRATEFUL FOR PEKING'S ADVICE ON THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS FOR

CHINESE REACTIONS TO WHAT WE HAVE PROPOSED. AS SEEN FROM HERE, THE FIGHTING IN VIETNAM (PARTICULARLY IF PROLONGED) COULD LEAD TO

GREATER PRESSURE OF PEOPLE ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE SOUTHERN CHINA.

IT COULD ALSO MAKE THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES MORE INCLINED TO

SEE THINGS IN BLACK AND WHITE TERMS AND CATEGORISE AS

''UNFRIENDLY'' ANY ACTION WHICH GOES AGAINST THEIR OWN PREFERENCES.

MACLEHOSE

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