TNAG-1029-FCO40-1279-Visits-by-FCO-officials-to-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 70

CONFIDENTIAL

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STRAIN ON THE EMBASSY AND THE NEED FOR MORE STAFF ACCOMMODATION IF

VISAS FOR PRIVATE CITIZENS ARE TO BE DEALT WITH IN PEKING. THE REAL ANSWER IS FOR THE CHINESE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE ACCOMMODATION OR FOR A CONSULATE IN SHANGHAI PAYING FOR ITSELF FROM VISA FEES. APA, ORR, IS BRIEFED TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER DURING HIS PRESENT VISIT.

4. I SUGGEST THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHOULD MERELY SAY THAT (1) HE HAS CONSULTED HONG KONG ABOUT THE PROBLEMS RAISED (2) THE PROBLEMS ARISE FROM PRESSURE OF NUMBERS AND ABUSE OF THE SYSTEM: (3) SITUATION IS NOW MUCH BETTER AND 2(B) ABOVE IS NO LONGER A SERIOUS PROBLEM: (4) HONG KONG CANNOT RELAX WHEN LEGAL IMMIGRATION IS STILL HIGH ( WITH VERY FEW RETURNING) AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION STILL A VERY REAL POTENTIAL PROBLEM. BUT WE WILL LOOK AT THE SITUATION AGAIN IN ABOUT SIX MONTHS TIME TO SEE WHETHER ANY CHANGES ARE APPROPRIATE: (5) WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE ASSURANCE THAT THOSE WHO ATTEMPT TO OVERSTAY WILL BE ACCEPTED BACK. THIS AND THE ABILITY TO RETURN THOSE WHO HAVE FALSE OR INADEQUATE DOCUMENTS OR CLEARLY NO INTENTION OF MOVING ON, WILL HELP GREATLY TO KEPP THE PROBLEM UNDER CONTROL (6) DETAILS ON POINTS RAISED BY HUANG WILL BE EXPLAINED TO OFFICIALS.

5. ORR IS FAMILIAR WITH ALL THE DETAILS AND CAN EXPAND IF NECESSARY.

MACLEHOSE

LIMITED

HK & GD

M & VD

FED

SIR E YOUDE

MR ABAMS

MR DONALD

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[NOT ADVANCED]

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CONFIDENTIAL