Mr Murray Mr Cortazzi Corta
CONFIDENTIAL
IN
HKK 341|1
3 0 MAY 1979
... 51
PA
REGISTRY Action Taken
drow b. c.
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4 June
24/1
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HONG KONG: LEGAL AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA
1. You will have seen Hong Kong telegram No 577 giving the latest figures for immigration into Hong Kong from China. A gradual decline in the number of legal arrivals has been accompanied by a sharper increase in the number of illegal immigrants arrested ahd repatriated. Elag B You will wish to see Dr Wilson's letter of 9 May referred to in
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Hong Kong tur. The increasing numbers of illegals, coupled with the signs of a greater determination to avoid arrest mentioned in para 6 of Dr Wilson's letter, suggest that there may well be a need to reinforce the garrison later on this year. As you know, the Governor
has undertaken to review the matter in June and let us have his
recommendations then. In the meantime I have sent copies of
Dr Wilson's letter and the latest telegrams to Mr Dromgoole in the Ministry of Defence (my letter of May).
2. Hong Kong telegram No 586 reports that the Chinese are still
stalling on a meeting with Hong Kong officials to discuss the immigration problem. This is disappointing but undertandable. You will note that the threat of imposing controls on the Hong Kong
side is mentioned in the final paragraph as something which might
have to be considered but should be avoided if possible. I am sure this is right.
21 May 1979
Worrying, but I to waiting for a
Copy to: Mr Samuel
FED (without enc)
R JT McLaren
Hong Kong & General Department
See
few weeks.
CONFIDENTIAL
practical alternative By that time we
/should
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