TNAG-1051-FCO40-1301-China-s-economic-relationship-with-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 159

CONFIDENTIAL

Record of Conversation at Lunch with Mr Huang Ximing, Deputy Mayor of Shenzhen on 8 January 1981

Present:

Mr D Akers-Jones Secretary for the New Territories

Dr D C Wilson Political Adviser

Mr P I Webb Assistant Political Adviser II

Mr Y P Cheng Interpreter

Mr Huang Ximing

Deputy Mayor of Shenzhen

Mr Ye Minghua

Deputy Mayor of Shenzhen

Mr Liu Jie

Vice-Chairman, Foreign Affairs Office, Shenzhen

Mr Li Jusheng

Second Director NCNA

General

Mr Tan Gan NCNA

I am not

Some what thes meaus -umad

Mr Akers-Jones explained that the development of Hong Kong as it is today had taken place over a long period of time. The planning, preparation and development stages of new towns in the New Territories was also a long term business. Presumably the development of Shenzhen would also take a long time; was there any overall plan?

2.

Mr Huang agreed that the growth of Shenzhen with the present population of 70,000 to a city of between 200 and 300 thousand people would also take a long time. The pace of development would depend not only on the efforts of Shenzhen residents but also on co-operation from Hong Kong. Nevertheless the basic objective was for the present development of Shenzhen to be completed in 10 years. The population would increase by the influx of people from other parts of the country and by the entry of people who wished to keep in regular contact with relatives in Hong Kong without having to get permission to

they actually leave the country.

ges to Hongkong.

I think it

means

fee

movement

Shenzhen

HK

dvise versa.

Remin went of Av. Wilou's

ward of croit t Shenghen last

3.

Mr Huang noted that the Hong Kong Government's new measure to control illegal immigration were proving effective. He also considered effective the 'economic' measures taken against transit or visitor over-stayers. That is to say a HK$60 registration fee each week should prove a disincentive for over-staying a visa.

4.

Mr Huang explained that a special boundary defined the limits of the special economic zone. This was not a fence, but the natural boundary along the ridges of W They had realised from the experience of the US - Mexico border that fences were ineffective. However, there would be controlled entry points along this boundary into the zone, the busiest being at the town of Bu Ji. The zone would

May 21

CONFIDENTIAL

Iong Shan

/therefore