TNAG-0982-FCO40-1201-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 5

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The point has therefore now been reached at which all possible action has been taken within existing policies and operational resources to reduce the inflow of both legal and illegal immigrants. Despite this, the inflow continues: although the estimated monthly total of illegal immigrants (both arrested and evaders) fell somewhat after the peak of 26,000 in December 1979 it has since been rising again: it is estimated that in April 1980, about 11,000 crossed the border illegally. And legal immigrants with out onward travel documents continue to arrive at a steady 150-. 160 a day. Hence, either this situation has to be accepted, and, with it, the prospect of Hong Kong having to absorb up to 200, 000 extra inhabitants every year (on the basis of 1979 figures), or there has to be a major change of policy.

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One possibility would be to reduce the number of legal immigrants by limiting the daily entry at Lowu. We know that such measures would be strongly resented by the Chinese Government. Since their co-operation is essential to any scheme for returning immigrants, the option is an unattractive

Furthermore the bigger problem in 1979 was illegal, rather than legal, immigration. Action on legal immigration in the face of Chinese opposition might lead only to a relaxation of their measures against illegal emigration and result in an increase in the total numbers entering Hong Kong.

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The only other possible new policy likely to make a significant. contribution quickly appears to be the return of all evaders, or overstayers, or both (including those from Macao) and denial of employment (the main attraction) to them. A partial measure which has been considered would be to narrow the definition of reaching base. This has been closely examined and the conclusion reached that nothing more can be done with out in practice ' abandoning the "reached base" principle entirely.

Return of Immigrants

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General Considerations

The arguments relative to the return of evaders and

overstayers and to deny them employment are:

A.

For:

Depending on the extent and rigour of the measures imposed:

(a)

(b)

it would constitute a deterrent to those in China and Macao contemplating emigration to Hong Kong; it would demonstrate to the people of Hong Kong the Government's determination to deal with what is now widely seen as one of the major problems facing the territory;

SECRET