In 1978 some 47,000 people entered Hong Kong from China on exit permits for a visit and in the same period only 1,000 visit permit holders returned to China (2% arrivals). The corresponding figures in 1979 were 63,000 and 2,600 (4% of arrivals).
17
The only hope of reducing the legal inflow in agreement with the Chinese authorities (as distinct from unilateral action on Hong Kong's part) has lain in persuading the Chinese to reduce substantially the number of people allowed to come to Hong Kong with no intention of returning to China and no opportunity of moving on elsewhere. Repated representations in London, Peking and Hong Kong have achieved some progress. The daily average of arrivals on permits or on passports without onward vi.sas came down steadily from the record level of 310 in December 1978 to 159 in July 1979. It has remained of that order since then,
18
Representations have also been made to the Chinese authorities about the illogicality of providing permits for "visits" to Hong Kong which are generally valid for at least 6 months and for a year or longer for over half the permits issued. These representations have so far had little effect. Since July 1979 it has been clear that the Chinese authorities are content to allow an average of about 150 people a day to come to Hong Kong with out documents which would allow them to settle elsewhere. Although 90% of these arrivals are in theory "visitors" there is little sign that the Chinese are willing or able to take measures to ensure that "visitors" return. Chinese officials argue that the remedy lies in Hong Kong's hands, namely, by returning those who overstay the period specified in their exit permits. This the Government has so far refrained from doing for the same reasons underlying the policy of allowing evaders to remain (see paragraph 24B).
19
The typical legal immigrant differs from his illegal counterpart. Two-thirds arrive with their families, averaging two children per family, and often including some elderly members. Far more are from urban areas, most are better educated (many with professional or technical background) and over half cannot speak Cantonese (see Annex B).
20
One effect of the increased restrictions on illegal immigrants imposed by the Chinese has been that an estimated 90,000 immigrants have entered Macao instead with the intention of moving on to Hong Kong later. In early 1979 these new arrivals in Macao began applying for permission to enter Hong Kong. Many of the applications appeared to be within the general policy governing legal immigration to Hong Kong. In the circumstances, the Director of Immigration decided to freeze the issue of entry permits pending a review of the policy on legal immigration from Macao. Since then, only one or two applications have been approved, on exceptional humanitarian grounds,
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