TNAG-0983-FCO40-1202-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 71

J Kenny Esq

DS11

Ministry of Defence

Main Building

Whitehall

LONDON SW1

CONFIDENTIAL

НКК 3241

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51 0 8 SEP 1980

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REGISTR 233-4439

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217.9/ Awirls

5 September 1980

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA TO HONG KONG

1. You should know the position on Exercise Champion, under which the Hong Kong Government will no longer allow illegal immigrants who reach base to remain in Hong Kong. The new policy will be backed up by making the carrying of Identity Cards compulsory and the employment of persons without such Cards unlawful.

2. The Foreign Secretary has agreed that he will raise the prob- lem of illegal immigration with the Chinese authorities in Peking at the beginning of October. If, as we expect, the Chinese say that they can do no more than they are at present, Lord Carrington will authorise the implementation of Champion. Although new legislation will be required, the new policy will come into effect very quickly.

3. The Police will largely be responsible for enforcing the new policy and there are not many implications in all this for the armed services. The CBF is in any case fully in the picture. The only likely problem will be that, since it is necessary for a three day period of grace to be given for people without Identity Cards to apply for them, there will probably during that period be a rush from China. But as I say, the CBF is prepared for this.

4. If you need any further information on this, please let me know.

P J Williamson

Hong Kong and General Department

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