TNAG-0984-FCO40-1203-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 87

HKK 341

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51

23 OCT 1980

DESK OFFICER

RECISTRY

TOP COPY

INDEX

S BA

BAC

con Taken

GR 160

No

IMS

SECRET

FM HONG KONG 220958Z OCT 8ø

TO IMMEDIATE F C O

TELEGRAM NUMBER 1385 OF 22 OCTOBER

INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING

210

MY TELEGRAM NO 1375. ''CHAMPION**

See (221

EXCO TODAY ADVISED THAT CHAMPION SHOULD GO AHEAD AS PLANNED ON 23 OCTOBER 1980 AND THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WILL THEREFORE BE PUT TO LEGCO AT 2.30 P.M. LOCAL TIME ON THAT DAY, TO BE FOLLOWED BY THE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT AS SOON AS IT IS ENACTED,

PROBABLY ABOUT AN HOUR LATER.

2. THE CHANGE OF THE 'REACHED BASE'' POLICY WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT 23 OCTOBER AND THE VARIOUS PARTS OF THE LEGISLATION

(CARRYING OF PROOF OF IDENTITY, BAN ON EMPLOYMENT AND NEW REMOVAL AND APPEAL PROCEDURES) WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON DIFFERENT DATES BETWEEN 28 OCTOBER AND 3 NOVEMBER.

3. ALL PREPARATIONS FOR THE OPERATION ARE COMPLETE AND SECURITY FORCES ON THE BORDER ARE IN A HIGH STATE OF READINESS FOR ANY SUDDEN INFLUX FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT. DESPITE WIDESPREAD SPECULATION IN THE PRESS (MUCH OF IT VERY NEAR THE MARK) THERE IS, SO FAR, NO SIGN OF SUCH AN INFLUX HAVING BEGUN.

MACLEHOSE

LIMITED

HK & GD

FED

PS

PS/LPS

PS/PUS

SIR E YOUDE

SECRET

213