TNAG-0981-FCO40-1200-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 103

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4. THIS IS CERTAINLY A SUBJECT WHICH WE WILL WISH TO DISCUSS WHEN YOU ARE HERE. IF, MEANWHILE, MINISTERS SEEK ADVICE ON WHETHER A NEW POLICY IS NEEDED, I SUGGEST YOU SHOULD SAY

THAT THE PICTURE IS AT PRESENT CLOUDED BY

BY (1) RECENT CHINESE REGULATIONS ABOUT ESCAPING: AND, (11) THE COMING LUNAR NEW YEAR.

CONSEQUENTLY THE FACTUAL BACKGROUND AGAINST WHICH TO ASSESS THE NEED FOR ANY CHANGE OF POLICY WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL

EARLY MARCH.

MACLEHOSE

FILES HK YGD

FED

COPIES TO:

HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE

LONDON

2

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