TNAG-1012-FCO40-1262-Address-by-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--at-t-1981 — Page 52

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asylum like Hong Kong are to continue to play their part then

resettlement programmes must continue.

4

Immigration from China

101.

Immigrants from China fall into a completely different

category to Vietnamese Boat Refugees. I have already referred to

the impact on our life of excessive immigration, and particularly

of illegal immigration. With the support of this Council drastic

measures were introduced last October. The traditional 'reached

base' policy was abolished and since then all illegal immigrants

who evaded our security screen and were detected have been

repatriated to China. To facilitate the detection of illegals

all legal residents of Hong Kong have been required to carry

identity documents; and to remove the incentive to come here the

employment of illegal immigrants has been banned. I am most

grateful for the responsibility and good humour with which the

public have accepted the need for these measures.

/102.