the greater the sympathy and attention he is likely to receive, if required to leave;
(b)
the greater are the chances that he will go underground; and so
(c)
the bigger, potentially, the task of dealing with him as an overstayer.
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Two-way permit holders who had entered Hong Kong before the effective date would have to be allowed to remain here, since it would be very difficult to make any agreement with the Chinese retroactive.
Financial implications
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Additional expenditure will be incurred in processing two-way permit holders more thoroughly at Lo Wu, in processing applications for extensions of stay, and in locating and repatriating overstayers. It is not possible at this stage to provide an accurate estimate of the additional expenditure involved, but it is clear that this will be more than outweighed by the benefits of not having to provide hous- ing or social services to overstayers who would otherwise become permanent additions to Hong Kong's population.
Public reaction
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There is continuing concern about the high level of legal immigration. The public at large can be expected to react favourably to a measure taken to restrict further the numbers of people from China entering Hong Kong for settle- ment, by introducing a visitor scheme. There are likely to be approaches by and petitions from family members or friends who seek permission for individuals to settle, notwithstanding their visitor status under the new arrangements. experience with previous immigration changes has shown that, if these cases are dealt with firmly and quickly and the Admi- nistration is seen to be determined to make the new scheme work, the initial opposition gradually recedes.
However,
Publicity
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The exact nature and timing of any publicity (for example, press release, press conference) and whether any of the latter should also be directed to holders of and would-be applicants for two-way permits across the border, will be decided in the light of what is agreed in detail with the Chinese and any views they may have on the subject which we would wish to take into account.
SECRET
SECRET
XCS(82)7
Advice sought
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