TNAG-1198-FCO40-1500-Legal-immigration-into-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 7

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F. THE TWO SIDES WOULD KEEP IN TOUCH ABOUT THE OPERATION OF THE SCHEME. IF IT WORKS WELL IT COULD BE EXTENDED TO ALLOW FOR MORE TWPHS. (THE GUANGDONG AUTHORITIES DID NOT SEEK ANY COMMITMENT ABOUT THIS).

3. THE GUANGDONG AUTHORITIES HOPED THAT IN ANY PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT WE WOULD AVOID MENTIONING SPECIFIC FIGURES, AND PUT THE EMPHASIS ON NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR VISITORS RATHER THAN ON THE REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF LEGAL IMMIGRATNS WHICH WOULD RESULT. BUT THEY ACCEPTED THAT THE HONG KONG PRESS WOULD PUT TWO AND TWO TOGETHER (AS THEY HAVE DONE).

4. COMMENT. IF TWPHS RETURN TO CHINA VOLUNTARILY AND WE ARE SUCCESSFUL IN APPREHENDING AND RETURNING ANY OVERSTAYERS IT WILL MEAN THAT LEGAL IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA WILL BE REDUCED BY ABOUT 27,000 PEOPLE PER YEAR. HOWEVER, IN VIEW OF CHINESE SENSITIVITY ON THIS POINT, THE PRESS RELEASE. SEE MIFT, AGREED WITH NCNA AND ISSUED IN HONG KONG ON 22 DECEMBER, DID NOT HIGHLIGHT THIS RESULT.

5. A RECORD OF THE MEETING FOLLOWS BY BAG.

YOUDE

LIMITED

HK & GD

FED

PUSD

MVD

MR GIFFARD

MR DONALD MR URE

[THIS TELEGRAM WAS NOT ADVANCED]

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CONFIDENTIAL