GR 935
CONFIDENTIAL
NICK 341
1 OP
OP COF
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
2 4 OCT 1980
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG 230640Z OCT
DESKBY 230836Z
DEAK O HOS
Į REGISTRY
PA
TO IMMEDIATE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE i
Action Taken
TELEGRAM NUMBER 1388 OF 23 OCTOBER, 1980. Noe MS 28. INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDO
(214
YOUR TELNO 941: PRESS RELEASE
1. THE INITIAL PRESS RELEASE FOLLOWS. (THERE IS ALSO A ''FOLLOW-
UP'' RELEASE DEALING PRIMARILY WITH THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF THE
REGISTRATION PROCESS AND THE EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS). THERE IS NO (NO) REFERENCE IN EITHER RELEASE TO EITHER CONSULTATION' OR
DISCUSSION WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES: REGRET IT IS TOO LATE TO
AMEND THE INFORMATION PAPER, BUT THE POINT CAN BE MADE IN BRIEFING HERE. WE SHALL AMEND THE QUESTION AND ANSWER BRIEF AS YOU SUGGEST.
PRESS RELEASE (INITAL RELEASE)
NEW POLICY ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
FROM TODAY (OCTOBER 23) ALL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA ENTERING HONG KONG WILL BE LIABLE TO BE REPATRIATED.
NEW LEGISLATION TO GIVE EFFECT TO THIS POLICY WAS PASSED AT
TODAY'S MEETING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE NEW MEASURES ALSO:
·
MAKE IT COMPULSORY TO CARRY PROOF OF IDENTITY ANYWHERE IN HONG KONG
"
BAN THE EMPLOYMENT OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, AND
. PROVIDE STIFF PENALTIES AGAINST EMPLOYERS EMPLOYING PEOPLE
WITHOUT PROOF OF IDENTITY.
HOWEVER, IN THE MEANTIME, ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA ALREADY
IN HONG KONG WHO HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED AND APPLIED FOR AND IDENTY
CARD WILL HAVE UNTIL SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26 TO DO SO. IF THEY DO NOT REGISTER DURING THIS PERIOD, THEY WILL BE LIABLE TO REPATRIATION.
A SPECIAL REGISTRATION CENTRE HAS BEEN SET UP AT VICTORIA BARRACKS
AND WILL REMAIN OPEN CONTINUOUSLY FROM 10 P.M. THIS EVENING (THURSDAY) UNTIL MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 26TH.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT SECURITY PATROLS ALONG THE
BORDER AND IN THE MORE REMOTE AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE
FULLY PREPARED TO PREVENT ANY ADDITIONAL INFLUX OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
COMMENTING ON THE NEW MEASURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THESE STRONGER MEASURES WERE NECESSARY IN THE FACE OF THE CONTINUING INFLUX AND THE STRONG THREAT THAT SUCH A HIGH LEVEL
OF IMMIGRATION POSED TO HONG KONG'S WELLBEING.
CONFIDENTIAL
DESPITE PITE
216
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.