TNAG-1630-FCO40-2246-Visits-by-Hong-Kong-Government-officials-to-China--the-UK-an-1987 — Page 214

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up an accurate list, this would have taken too long. Mr. Fu

repeated the request that the Hong Kong side should identify

which on the list were Hong Kong residents (in fact the list

only shows the wives not their husbands).

8.

Mr. Clift agreed that further checking of the lists

was necessary. It was important to have an accurate list of

wives of Hong Kong fishermen. He said he was sure that the

Hong Kong authorities would be ready to assist in the checking

process at any time, but they found it difficult to identify

which people on the list were thought to be dependants of Macau

fishermen. He asked whether it would be possible for the Chinese authorities to indicate on their list which people might fall into this category. Mr. Clift then proposed that the experts on the two sides should meet as soon as possible to

discuss the lists. The Hong Kong side might need to ask for particular information to help in the checking process.

9.

Mr. Fu agreed with Mr. Clift's proposal and suggested

that the experts meet in Shenzhen. Mr. Ji Shaoxiang (having conferred with Chen Yanshuo) said that a stamp had already been

designed to distinguish one-way permits for boat wives from

other such permits. Mr. Fu undertook to inform Mr. Clift of the time and place for the meeting through Mr. Ji in due course.

10.

Mr. Clift said he had two other points to raise.

The

first was a general one which he had already mentioned to Mr.

Zu Guozhen in Shenzhen. He was concerned at the recent

dramatic increase in the number of illegal immigrants arrested in Hong Kong. Those arrested in February this year represented a 250% increase over those arrested in February 1986. The

overall figures this year were double those for last year.

This had been mentioned to NCNA. The two sides had a common

wish to keep a close watch on this problem. Mr. Clift said he would be grateful for any action that the Guangdong authorities could take to reduce the numbers of illegal immigrants.

Hong

G.F. 326

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