Encl. Ia
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION INTO HONG KONG FROM CHINA
On 23 October, 1980, new legislation was introduced to enable the Hong Kong Government to exercise more effective control over immigration from China into Hong Kong.
Previously, any immigrant who "reached base" in Hong Kong (i.e. evaded capture, established contact with family or friends and found accommodation) had been allowed to stay. Under the new legislation, however, all immigrants entering Hong Kong from China illegally after 23 October, 1980 are repatriated. All immigrants from China already in Hong Kong who had not by that date registered and applied for an identity card were given a widely publicised period of three days to do so. This whole exercise was known as "Opération Champion".
The new legislation requires everyone aged 15 or over to carry an identity card or an accepted equivalent. Employers are forbidden to engage anyone who cannot
produce acceptable proof of identity. There is a provision for appeals on statutory grounds against repatriation to China. These are heard by a tribunal of two adjudicators drawn from a panel selected largely from existing lay assessors.
"Operation Champion" does not apply to those who enter Hong Kong legally from China (i.e. with valid Chinese exit permits) and then overstay.
The Hong Kong Government has had to introduce such
legislation in order to stem the disturbingly high influx of immigrants from China. The annual figures were:
Repatriated
#
"Reached Base" (estimated)
1975
1976
1,200
6,600
800
6,100
1977 1,800
6,600
1978
1979 90,000
1980 83,163
8,200
28,000
108,000
62,000 (up to October '80)
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