TNAG-0984-FCO40-1203-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 53

UURT

ISLIYI TAL

GPS 320

CONFIDENTAL

CONFIDENTAL

FM HONG KONG 270752Z OCT 80

TO PRIORITY F C O

TELEGRAM NUMBER 1408 OF 27 OCTOBER

INFO PRIORITY PEKING, HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE

(213)

MY TELNO 1385 CHAMPION

221

TOP COPY

see

223

HICK 341

за допром.

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51 2 8 OCT 1980

DESK

No

26.10

k

THE FIRST STAGE OF OPERATION CHAMPION WAS CONCLUDED ATLY MIDNIGHT ON 26 OCTOBER LOCAL TIME. IN MARKEDA THE ENTOETH 3-DAY PERIOD IN WHICH ALL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA WHO HAD

AW REACHED BASE IN HONG KONG BY 23 OCTOBER (THE DAY OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT)

AND WHO HAD NOT YET REGISTERED WERE GIVEN A FINAL OPPORTUNITY TO

DO SO.

2. THE ARRANGEMENTS WENT SMOOTHLY, AND 6,952 PERSONS APPLIED FOR

REGISTRATION. THIS FIGURE WAS NEAR THE LOWER END OF THE RANGE OF ESTIMATES WHICH HAD BEEN MADE BUT WE HAVE NO REASON TO THINK THAT THE GREAT MAJORITY OF PERSONS IN THIS CATEGORY HAVE NOT COME

FORWARD.

3. THERE HAS BEEN ANXIETY EXPRESSED BY, OR ON BEHALF OF, PERSONS FROM COUNTRIES OTHER THAN CHINA, INCLUDING MACAU AND INDIA, WHO AT SOME TIME IN THE PAST IMMIGRATED ILLEGALLY OR OVERSTAYED THEIR

PERMITS AND SETTLED DOWN TO A NORMAL LIFE HERE. THE OBLIGATORY

CARRYING OF PROOF OF IDENTITY AND THE EMPLOYMENT PROVISIONS WILL TEND TO BRING THESE PEOPLE TO THE SURFACE. IF THEY ASK, THEY

ARE BEING TOLD TO REPORT THEIR PRESENCE TO IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT,

WHICH WILL CONSIDER EACH CASE ON ITS MERITS. THE GRANTING OF PERMISSION TO STAY IS LIKELY TO BE FAIRLY RESTRICTIVE, CONFORMITY WITH OUR LONG STANDING POLICY IN RESPECT OF ALL ILLEGAL

IMMIGRANTS FROM COUNTRIES OTHER THAN CHINA.

IN

4. A MAJOR INFLUX FROM CHINA TO BEAT THE DEADLINE DID NOT MATERIALISE. NUMBERS OF ARRESTS WERE SOMEWHAT HIGHER UNTIL

YESTERDAY (THE LAST DAY OF THE REGISTRATION PERIOD) WHEN THEY FELL.

IT IS HOWEVER TOO EARLY TO DRAW ANY CONCLUSIONS AS TO THE DETERRENT

EFFECT OF OUR NEW POLICY AND OF ANY ADDITIONAL MEASURES THE

CHINESE MAY HAVE TAKEN.

5. THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT'S NEW POLICY HAS MET WITH

VIRTUALLY UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FROM ALL QUARTERS. BUT THIS FAVOURABLE

ATTITUDE MAY BECOME LESS ENTHUSIASTIC ONCE THE NEW MEASURES

(THE OBLIGATORY CARRYING OF PROOF OF IDENTITY AND A BAN ON

EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT SUCH PROOF) BEGIN TO TAKE EFFECT ON 28

OCTOBER AND 3 NOVEMBER RESPECTIVELY.

MACLE HOSE

LIMITED

AKGO

FED

HONE

LONDON

COPIES

KONG

прито

GOVT OFFICE

PS

Psines PS/PUS

SIRE YOUDE

CONFIDENTAL