TNAG-1413-FCO40-1889-Future-of-Hong-Kong-annual-report-to-Parliament-on-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 189

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52.

Notwithstanding the overall reduction in illegal immigration

there was an increase in the numbers attempting to

to enter Hong Kong illegally in middle and late 1985. Capture figures for this period

averaged 1,250 persons per month, that is 30 percent up on the same period last year, or approximately 15 percent of the level in 1979.

The reason s for the increase appear to be rumours of an amnesty and

levels of border security due to the recent announcement

decreased levels

The

of a reduction in the garrison, neither of which are true. increase may also be in part as a result of the introduction of more sophisticated detection equipment along the border earlier this year. Intelligence evaluation shows that the percentage of evaders

at the border ou t of the total numbers that attempt to cross has

1985.

decreased dramatically from 53 percent in 1979 to 10 percent in

Subsequent round-ups of evaders in the urban areas have

resulted in 100 percent capture rates in the last few years. Cross

border consultations with the Chinese authorities have been held to

try to stem the recent increase.

very

précis?

KIYA WATETER MAJENE PRIMERNOON DESTRA S

IX. CONCLUSION

50

53. The signing of the Joint Declaration, which confirmed that the United Kingdom would remain responsible for the administration of Hong Kong up to 30 June 1997, and which spelled ou t the basic policies of the People's Republic of China regarding Hong Kong for

1997, did much to restore the confidence of

years

about what the future he Id

of the agreement the future

forward from that

that date there are strong

of confidence in ail sectors of the

people of Hong Kong, who for the previous two

after years

uncertainty and anxiety

Following the announcement

more assured.

One year

indications of a return

community

•

the

felt had

in store.

looked much

54.

Over the next 12 months, that confidence is likely to be

maintained. So far as the development of representative government is concerned, following the recent changes in the composition of the Legislative Council the coming year will be a period consolidation rather than new initiatives. On the economic front, the indicators

reassuring,

the possibility of continuing

are

"

notwithstanding

-

17

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