TNAG-0983-FCO40-1202-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 110

J

146

GR 197

SECRET

TOP COPY HKK 34111

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51

1 1 AUG 1980

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

SECRET

FM CARACAS Ø422382 AUG IP

PA

TO PRIORITY HONG KONG

No

TELEGRAM NUMBER 2 OF 4 AUGUST

J12.8

INFO PRIORITY FCO PEKING

FROM SECRETARY OF STATE

135

MY TEL NO 5731 CONTROL OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA

REGISTRY Action Taken

1. YOU WILL HAVE SEEN A COPY OF THE RECORD OF THE MEETING WHICH THE GOVERNOR HAD WITH MR BLAKER ON 14 JULY.

AW121

See 145

2. ON BALANCE I FAVOUR DELAYING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROPO SED MEASURE UNTIL I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM WITH THE CHINESE WHEN I AM IN PEKING IN EARLY OCTOBER. IF, AS WE EXPECT, THE CHINESE MAKE CLEAR THAT THEY CAN DO NO MORE UNLESS WE TAKE ACTION IN HONG KONG, IT SHOULD THEN BE POSSIBLE FOR THE GOVERNOR TO GO AHEAD VERY QUICKLY. HOWEVER I AGREE, ON A CONTINGENCY BASIS, THAT SHOULD THE SITUATION DETERIORATE SHARPLY BEFORE OCTOBER, THE MEASURES COULD BE EFFECTED EARLIER AFTER CONSULTATION WITH LONDON, AND WITH PROVISION FOR WARNING THE CHINESE IN ADVANCE (PARA 5 OF MYTEL 415 OF 27 MAY).

SECONDE

LIMITED

HK & GD

FED

PS

PS/LPS

PS/MR RIDLEY PS/PUS

SIR E YOUDE

[NOT ADVANCED]

SECRET

165