CONFIDENTIAL
MEETING WITH URBAN COUNCIL AND PRESS CONFERENCE : ESSENTIAL FACTS
MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT
1. (See Brief No 7).
NATIONALITY ACT
2. General public in Hong Kong have not been as upset over
Nationality Bill as UMELCO.
Nonetheless both Urban Council and
news media are likely to raise issue (See Brief No 5).
OVERSEAS STUDENTS 0 FEES
3.
Decision to charge overseas students full fees has been resented
in Hong Kong. Many students used to come here for secondary and
university education but numbers greatly reduced since 1979.
Hong Kong Government consider British connection important enough
to start loan scheme for students. Whole problem being considered
by Overseas Student Trust which is expected to report in 1982
(See Brief No 6).
IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA
4. In 1979 and 1980 massive influx of illegal immigrants from China
put severe strain on Hong Kong's resources. Used to be policy to
repatriate only those caught on entering Hong Kong. In October 1980
decided to repatriate as well those who had evaded capture on entry.
Policy has worked well, though recent problems over pregnant women
and smuggled children. Army, Police and Immigration in Hong Kong
deserve congratulating on magnificent job.
5. Legal immigration also problem. 150 a day enter Hong Kong
ostensibly for visits but in fact for settlement.
Proposals recently
Chinese
put to Chinese for only half of them to be for settlement.
reaction awaited. (See Brief No 11).
CONFIDENTIAL
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