TNAG-0905-FCO40-1115-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 45

CONTIDE: ITIAL

THIS DOWNWARD TREND IS NOT SURPRISING HAVING REGARD TO THE STEADY

EXPANSION OF COUNTER-MEASURES OVER THIS PERIOD. IT SHOULD

CONTINUE TO FALL AS A RESULT OF THE FURTHER MAJOR STEPS TAKEN

DURING JUNE, THOUGH THE RECENT MARKED REDUCTION IN THE ACTUAL

NUMBERS SEEKING TO ENTER ILLEGALLY MAY AFFECT THE TREND.

4. WE SHALL REPORT THE MONTHLY RATIO TO YOU AS IT BECOMES

AVAILABLE. IT IS IMPORTANT, OF COURSE, NOT ONLY FOR OPERATIONAL

REASONS AND AS A YARDSTICK OF THE SUCCESS OF OUR COUNTER-MEASURES

BUT ALSO IN THE LONGER TERM FOR ITS SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC

INPLICATIONS. EVEN ON A 1 : 1 BASIS, THE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL

MIGRANTS WHO ENTERED HONG KONG IN MAY AND WHO HAVING EVADED

ARREST WILL BE REMAINING HERE INDEFINITELY WAS APPROACHING 15000.

CATER

VILES - ગ્૪૮ D SEAD UND FED

3350 DEF D

SAD BLD (E)

PUSD CID

XPD

NEWS D M & VD PS FS/LPS PS/MR. HURD PS/HR.BLAKER

PS/PUS STR A DIFF

SIR A PARSONS MR. STRATTON MR. LEAHY

MR, MURRAY

་

COPIES TO:

HONG KONG GOVT.OFFICE LONDON

2

CONFIDENTIAL

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