In their reply the Chinese authorities have
the traditional right to and practice of freedom of movement between Hong Kong and inland China should be respected;
they had always had regard for Hong Kong's difficulties and would continue to control the number of Chinese residents entering Hong Kong legally;
they would improve their procedures by distinguishing those wishing to enter Hong Kong for settlement from those visiting relatives;
they would ask travellers issued with two-way permits to return at the end of their visit;
they would accept overstayers sent back by Hong Kong, but this should be achieved in a civilised manner and without resort to force; and
the success of these arrangements would depend, as always, upon cooperation between the two sides.
5
The Political Adviser and the Head of Chancery in Peking sought clarification on the following points:
(a)
(b)
(c)
whether any reduction in the percentage of one-way permits, which had remained at 75% of the total for the past year, was under consideration. The reply was that the proportion of one-way and two- way permits would probably vary accord- ing to differing pressures at different times;
what period of validity for two-way permits was contemplated, bearing in mind our proposal that it should not exceed three months and that normally one month should suffice for a family visit. The only response forthcoming and covering the length of a family visit was that this was "understood";
at present most permits were valid for at least six months. A significantly shorter period of validity would make it easier to persuade holders to return to China and thus permit a greater number of visitors in the future, There was no positive reaction.
SECRET
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