TNAG-0981-FCO40-1200-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 141

GR 150

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

DEL

¡Y HONG KONG 220100Z

FM PEKING 210710Z JAN 80

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELEGRAM NUMBER 48 OF 21 JANUARY 80

AND TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG

TOP COPY

AKK 341

34111

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51 22 JAN1930

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

RESISTRY

PA

Action Taken

Мо

AW 24/1

(16)

13

HONG KONG TELNO 110: CHINESE REQUEST FOR RETURN OF AN ILLEGAL

IMMIGRANT.

See

26

1. WE APPRECIATE THAT THIS CASE COULD PROVIDE AN AWKWARD PRECEDENT, AND I GO ALONG WITH THE ACTING GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL, WHICH PRESERVES MAXIMUM DISCRETION IN FUTURE CASES FOR THE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES. BUT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT, PARTICULARLY IN THIS FIRST CASE, THAT THE ACTION SHOULD SUCCEED. THE CHINESE MIGHT WELL REACT BADLY IF THE ACTING GOVERNOR'S REMOVAL ORDER WERE

SUCCESSFULLY CONTESTED OR

WERE RELEASED FOR LACK OF

EVIDENCE.

WE

2. I AGREE THAT IT IS RIGHT TO EXPLAIN TO THE CHINESE WHY AND HOW IT HAD BEEN POSSIBLE TO ACCEDE TO THEIR REQUEST. SHOULD LIKE TO TAKE ACTION HERE ALSO AT A CONVENIENT MOMENT, PARTICULARLY AS THEY HAVE MENTIONED TO US THE POSSIBILITY OF REPATRIATING RINGLEADERS BY SOME METHOD OTHER THAN COURT

ACTION.

GE OR GE

FILES:

H K & G D

FED

MVD

NEWS D

PUSD

MR MURRAY

CONFIDENTIAL