TNAG-1095-FCO40-1345-Visas-for-Chinese-nationals-visiting-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 77

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IONS OF PASSENGERS IF ONCE ALLOWED TO REMAIN II HONG KONG. AS WITH LOWU TRANSIT VISAS COULD, IF JUSTIFIED, BE EXTENDED UP TO A MONTH. (D) IF A PASSPORT HOLDER EITHER REFUSED TO MOŽE ON IMMEDIATELY WHEN AN IMMIGRATION OFFICER SO DECIDED, OR REFUSED TO MOVE ON AFTER DENNG ALLOWED A TRANSIT STOP IN HONG KONG, THE CHINESE WOULD ACCEPT THE PERSON BACK WITHOUT QUESTION. IN THE FORMER CASE THE AIR CARRIER (USUALLY CAAC) WOULD HAVE TO UNDERTAKE TO RETURN THE PERSON TO THE POINT OF DEPARTURE. IN THE LATTER CASE THOSE C CONCERNED WOULD BE RETURNED THROUGH LOVU OR MAN KAM TO.

(E) THE SYSTEM WOULD BE FOR A TRIAL PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS. IF NUMBERS INCREASED SO THAT WE COULD NUT COPE, OR SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS WERE FAILING TO MOVE ON, HE WOULD HAVE TO REVERT TO THE EARLIER SYSTEM OF USING LOWU ALONE.

5. WE WOULD NOT WISH TO MAKE ANY CHANGE IN AGREED ARRANGEMENTS

FOR THOSE ALLOWED TO COME HERE BY THROUGH TRAIN OR FERRY. NOR

WOULD WE CHANGE THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR OFFICIAL PASSPORT HOLDERS.

6. IF YOU SEE NO OFJECTION, GRATEFUL IF THE EMRASSY WOULD-NOW ADD THIS PROPOSAL IN PLACE OF 2(111) IN MY TELNO 463. AS SEEN

FROM HERE, THIS MAJOR CONCESSION SHOULD DEAL WITH CHINESE

CONCERN ABOUT DIFFICULTIES FOR NON-OFFICIAL TRAVELLERS FROM CHINA.

+

7. GRATEFUL OF THE EMBASSY WOULD ALSO POINT OUT, IN DEALING WITH THE BACKGROUND OF THESE PROBLEMS ON THE LINES OF PARAGRA 2 OF MY TELNO 109 TO PEKING, THAT THE NUMBERS ARRIVING LEGALLY (150 PER DAY) ARE STILL A MAJOR WORRY AND INFLUENCE OUR ATTITUDE ON RELATED PROBLEMS. THE NUMBER OF ''ONE-WAY'' PERMITS (1.E. FOR SETTLEMENT) HAS INCREASED TO OVER HALF THE TOTAL. THE NUMBER OF THOSE WITH VISITOR' PERMITS WHO RETURN IS STILL VERY SMALL (JUST OVER 4% OF LEGAL ARRIVALS). THE WILL TO RETURN 13 NOT HELPED BY THE FACT THAT MANY OF THE VISITOR PERMITS ARE FOR LONG PERIODS OF OVER 3 MONTHS. CONSEQUENTLY THE NUMBER OF NEW ARRIVALS WE HAVE TO ABSORB IN THIS WAY REMAINS TOO HIGH.

3. IF THE EMBASSY TELL US WHEN THEY SPEAK TO THE MFA WE WILL ACT SIMILARLY HERE WITH NONA.

9. WE HAVE DISCUSSED THE ABOVE WITH CLIFT.

MACLEHOSE

LIMITED

HKGD (4)

MVD.

FED

PPD

PS

PS/LPS

PS/MR BLAKER Psipus

SIRE YOUDE MR DONALD MR ADAMS

PS/MR RIDLEY

COPIES

HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE LONDON

THIS TELEGRAM

WAS NOT

ADVANCED

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CONFIDENMAL