TNAG-0907-FCO40-1117-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 28

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2576)

GR 350

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FM HONG KONG 080445Z DEC 79

TO PRIORITY FCO

TELEGRAM NUMBER 1725 OF 8 DECEMBER

INFO HONG KONG GVOT OFFICE LONDON PEKING MOD (DS11) WASHINGTON

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H.KK 341

10 DEC 1979

NO!

Мо

See 2257

MYTELNO 1716(NOT TO ALL): IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA.

See

A REPORT FROM THE CHINA NEWS AGENCY, DATELINED CANTON 6 DECEMBER,

SAYS THAT THE GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL REVOLUTIONARY COMMITTEE PASSED NEW REGULATIONS TO DEAL WITH ILLEGAL EMIGRATION AT A PLENARY SESSION ENDING ON 5 DECEMBER.

1980

2. THE NEWS REPORT (FULL TEXT BY BAG) DOES NOT GIVE THE TEXT OF THE REGULATIONS BUT SAYS THAT, ACCORDING TO THEIR PROVISIONS, ATTEMPTS TO SNEAK OUT OF THE COUNTRY' CONSTITUTE AN OFFENCE

WHICH IS LIABLE TO PUNISHMENT. IN ADDITION A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES ARE REGARDED AS CRIMINAL OFFENCES. THESE INCLUDE INTER ALIA THE ORGANISATION OR INSTIGATION OF ILLEGAL EMIGRATION: SEIZING VESSELS: ATTACKING BORDER GUARDS: TAKING CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OR WEAPONS: AND FLEEING THE COUNTRY 'FOR COUNTER-REVOLUTIONARY

PURPOSES''.

3. ACCORDING TO THE NEWS REPORT, THE REGULATIONS ALSO SAY THAT RECIDIVISTS, THOS WHO FORGE DOCUMENTS, REFUSE TO HEED WARNINGS,

DISRUPT ORDER IN HOLDING CENTRES OR SHELTER ILLEGAL EMIGRANTS, WILL BE SUBJECTED TO EDUCATION THROUGH LABOUR'', FORCED LABOUR OR KEPT IN CUSTODY ACCORDING TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF THEIR OFFENCE.

4. THE NCNA HAVE TOLD US THAT THESE NEW REGULATIONS WILL COME INTO EFFECT WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL PEOPLES CONGRESS WHICH WILL OPEN ON 17 DECEMBER. 5. THE 24 HOUR ARREST FIGURES FOR THE PAST TWO DAYS TO 0600 LOCAL TODAY HAVE BEEN 755, 621. MOST HAVE BEEN BY SEA, WITH SOME MOTORIZED JUNKS FROM THE PEARL RIVER AREA (BUT NO MORE FROM FUJIAN PROVINCE.

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