TNAG-0984-FCO40-1203-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 6

The fact that illegal immigration from China has reached so high a level has lead to growing pressure in many quarters for the ending of the reached base policy. Such sympathy as existed in the past for illegal immigrants from China has largely evaporated with the realisation of the adverse effect which the high rate of immigration is having on employment, social services and, it is widely believed, law and order. Indeed widespread disappointment was voiced over the absence of any announcement of tougher measures against illegal immigration in the Governor's address at the opening of the Legislative Council on 1st October and in his subsequent television interview.

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Proposals are therefore likely to be welcomed by the media and the public generally as both necessary and timely. In particular the provision for carriage of alternative identity documents will help to mitigate any criticism of the requirement to carry proof of identity at all times. Some employers may however be restive over the measures which affect them..

Publicity

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The publicity programme has been drawn up by departments and other bodies concerned to achieve maximum publicity via the media.

The main themes are :

to announce the change in the Government's

"reached-base" policy and the reasons for it;

to encourage illegal immigrants from China to register over the weekend (it will be made clear that those who left China legally will not be affected);

to announce the requirement to carry

proof of identity and the new employment conditions;

Guidance for employers will be distributed to all

employers' associations and copies will also be widely available at City District Offices, District Offices and Labour Relations Offices. Immigration Department will operate a hot-line telephone enquiry service throughout the weekend for the public. An information paper highlighting the consequences of the level of immigration in the last two years is being prepared; this will be used in briefings.

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SECRET