TNAG-1592-FCO40-2177-Appointment-of-Sir-David-Wilson-as-new-Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 136

densely populated places in the world. Immigration thus represents

a constant problem.

6.11

The vast majority of immigrants come from China. Between 1971 and 1973 their numbers increased so fast - from about 13,500 to some

that in November

was 1974 Hong Kong

obliged to

policy of returning

to China illegal immigrants

74,000 a

introduce

year

-

a

humanitarian reasons

for not doing this.

apprehended while entering the Territory, except where there were

strong

This policy succeeded until 1978 in greatly reducing the number of people trying to cross illegally into Hong Kong. In 1979, however, some 90,000

repatriated, were

with an estimated 117,000

to

in

This led the HMG in June 1979 to reinforce the

battalions, helicopters and

naval

illegal immigrants evading detection.

garrison with one and a half craft. Together with measures adopted by the Chinese provincial authorities, under directions from Peking, this led initially to a

dramatic drop

the numbers of illegal immigrants. However, numbers gradually rose again, from about 135 a day in January 1980 over 400 by October. On 23 October 1980, new legislation was enacted ending the policy by which immigrants who reached the urban areas of Hong Kong were allowed to stay and register for identity cards. All illegal immigrants may now be repatriated and, to make this policy work, it is now compulsory to carry an identity card in Hong Kong and illegal to employ anyone without proof of identity.

While

fallen of rate

illegal immigration has

level, the 1979-80

problem persists, and some immigrants were arrested and repatriated in 1984.

6.12

the

an

pos es a

problem.

its

well below

17,000 illegal

The Hong Kong

immigration also Legal authorities have not imposed any controls on people arriving from China since 1967: they accept all those to whom the Chinese issue exit permits. Following the sharp rise in the numbers of immigrants in the early seventies, informal understanding was reached with the Chinese which 1 ed to the number of exit permits issued being limited to about 50 per day. However, at the end of 1977 the rate of arrivals began to rise sharply and by the end of 1978 immigrants In December from China were crossing at a rate of over 300 per day. 1982, following a series of contacts with the Chinese, agreement was reached that the daily average of one-way permit holder, would be

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