89.
Forces
China.
(a) Immigration
As a result of the continued vigilance of the Security
and the Immigration Department, and the firm
administration of our repatriation policy, there has been a significant and welcome reduction in illegal immigration from
However, the smuggling of young children by traffickers, who have little regard for the safety of their
passengers, has been of particular concern to the Government.
We are co-operating with the Chinese authorities so that
together we may put a stop to this deplorable and dangerous traffic. Criminals who organise illegal immigration for their own profit continue in
in business by spreading rumours of an amnesty, despite frequently repeated official statements to the
contrary. Let me again make the position quite clear: there will be no amnesty; the operations of the Security Forces will
not be relaxed; we will continue to apprehend illegal immigrants, and they will be sent back.
90.
A valuable additional deterrent to illegal immigration was the introduction in May of
in May of the new, more secure identity
card which should eliminate the forged cards on which most illegal immigrants depend. So far, over 650,000 new cards have
been issued: all men under 35 should have new cards by May 1984.
91.
The hopes I expressed in my speech last year have been fulfilled with the introduction in December 1982 of a properly regulated scheme for visitors from China. The new arrangements agreed with the
the authorities in China have worked well. The great majority of visitors have returned to China in accordance with the terms of
of their visit permits. The few who overstay are detected sooner or later and are repatriated.
31
/(e)
Vietnamese
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.