TNAG-1089-FCO40-1339-Illegal-immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 53

341

CONFIDENTIAL

Gold Punny Seal

124

My point is that we have to

be able to

that were exists a

Jay in which families may

PS/LPS

NO

cc Mr Donald

Min

Plos 14/12

SAME SI VLAŽBA MESA, KORE

legal way

A

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION BY CHILDREN FROM CHINA

mcy

Take a

long

te recursed

Time

but

CHINA(a) to it does in connection will the tuf. comar A(31. In FCO Telegram No 905 to Hong Kong we agreed Hong Kong's and (b) the proposals for dealing with smuggled children. We asked particularly fro about arrangements for legal entry of children in case this same up is ded

114

in Parliament or elsewhere.

2.

ви

now by us but

sby

ка 8.12

Hong Kong Telegram Number 1079 takes the view that special the Chinese. arrangements to speed up legal entry for these children are not possible; they would have to fall within the normal quota, which means a long wait. This sounds tough but is realistic and defensible. The Chinese authorities, who control the issue of permits for entry to Hong Kong, are not likely to be particularly sympathetic to those who have tried to enter the Territory illegally and special representations on their behalf by us would not help. But if there is criticism we can state that:

3.

a) we have. to deter illegal entry and those who profit from it;

b) Arrangements exist for children to apply to join their

parents through the normal issue of permits by the Chinese authorities. Hong Kong will admit anyone with such a permit. This may mean a long wait but unfortunately immigration in many parts of the world means taking one's place in the queue and Hong Kong has special social and economic pressures which must be taken into account.

There is another connected issue which has come up in Hong Kong. Some women illegal immigrants are entering ante-natal and maternity sections of hospitals in Hong Kong before giving birth to children. Hong Kong is having to decide whether such women should be returned either before or after the birth of their babies. If born in Hong Kong the children are CUKCs. We are obtaining more information on this from Hong Kong and will minute next week.

vorip

R D Clift

Hong Kong and General Department

4 December 1981

Mr. M. Qamily // 10/12 Mr. Williams for You Juliz

I think wel öhd now

CONFIDENTIAL

Davies on both this &

write ĥ Mr. Davies on

what the conclusim is

illegal mother ansultation of

mjoy 10s. I'd also senlly make the point about aderance/worry