TNAG-0984-FCO40-1203-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 5

the new measures including gazettal of Ordinance, Regulations and Orders. Those already in Hong Kong who have not registered for identity cards are directed to do so before midnight on 26 October.

Special Registration Office open at Victoria Barracks 24 hours a day if necessary.

New provisions for removal and appeals become effective.

Compulsory carrying of proof of identity throughout the territory begins.

Employment of persons failing to produce proof of identity becomes illegal.

Plans for the implementation of Operation CHAMPION are already at a point at which they can be brought to completion in 9 days. Departments concerned Police, Immigration, Labour and Information have made detailed arrangements. These include maximum publicity for the announcement; the special registration; the enforcement of the carrying of proof of identity and the ban on employment; and the appeals procedure (a Chief Adjudicator has been identified and is willing to act). The Security Forces will be in a maximum state of alert immediately preceding and following the announcement. The Secretary of State spoke to the Chinese Foreign Minister in London and the Governor also spoke to him on his way through Hong Kong. Approaches have been made by the Embassy in Peking and the Governor will meet the Acting Governor of Guangdong on 19 - 21 October; it is hoped that the new measures will be publicised as widely as possible in Guangdong and that the Chinese Security Forces will make a special effort to prevent a major exodus following the announcement.

Public Reaction

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Public and media reaction to the requirement to carry identity cards in the New Territories and Outlying Islands introduced by the Carrying of Identity Cards (New Territories and Outlying-Islands) Order 1980 under the Registration of Persons Regulations has been generally favourable. Initial concern regarding the level of penalties provided under this legislation has been allayed by the graduated and reasonable enforcement of the requirement. Such criticism as there has been centres on the fact that only identity cards and no alternative proof of identity can be produced under the existing regulations.

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