E
HKK 341
F
146)
HICK 34
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Guangzhou later in October. As he says, he can present it as one
of a series of continuing contacts with the provincial authorities
Governor Xi visited Hong Kong in November 1979-to discuss a range
of topics of mutual interest to the two sides, in particular,
economic cooperation.
Although there will be speculation that
his visit is connected with measures against illegal immigrants,
the Governor clearly feels that direct contact with Xi is
sufficiently important to justify the risk of an increased influx
in anticipation of a change in policy in Hong Kong.
6. Nevertheless, the visit will only be the second which the
Governor has paid to China (the first was in March 1979 when he
went to Peking and was received by Deng Xiaoping) and it will
come very soon after that of the Secretary of State to Peking.
Ministers should therefore be aware of the proposal. Our agreement
should also be subject to the views of HM Ambassador, Peking,
who has not so far commented.
7. The timing of implementation of the measures against illegal
immigrants being suggested by Hong Kong is now different from that
envisaged in PS/Mr Blaker's minute of 29 July to the Private
Secretary, on which the Secretary of State agreed (Caracas
telegram No 2 to Hong Kong) that implementation should be delayed
until he had raised the matter in Peking, which would then allow
the Governor to go ahead with his plans very quickly. The Governor
now envisages slower implementation, ie after he has had the
opportunity of discussing the proposals with the Governor of
Guangdong, with a view to putting them into effect 'at the turn
of October/November'.
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18.
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