TNAG-0983-FCO40-1202-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 170

BY BAG

SCR 6/2091/55

K Sullivan Esq PEKING

RESTRICTED

NKK 341/1

RECEIVED IN 2

Y NO.

-7 JUL:780

120

28

e 1980

INDEX

PA

LEGAL IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA:

PERIOD OF VALIDITY OF EXIT PERMITS

You will see from the enclosed analysis of legal arrivals from China between 2 and 8 June that there has been a noticeable reduction in the period of validity of exit permits issued in Fujian province. For this period roughly half were issued for 6 months whereas in earlier analyses we have found that virtually 100% of travel documents in Fujian have been issued for 1 year or longer. I have passed the analysis, drawing attention to this point, to the NCNA. However, I added that we hoped the period of validity would become much shorter. What mattered was that at the time when people crossed to Hong Kong, permits should only be valid for a

I few weeks if the purpose was to pay a short visit to relatives. reminded the NCNA that 85% of the permits issued in Guangzhou vere still valid for 1 year. I hope he took the hint that Guangdong ought to be able to introduce new procedures in this area even faster than Fujian. Ab any rate, he undertook to report to Guangzhou and Peking.

cc P J Williamson Esq

HK&GD FCO

(I C Orr)

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