TNAG-2642-FCO40-3835-Immigration-to-Hong-Kong-from-China-policy-and-statistics-1992 — Page 48

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG

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YRTELNO 704: IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA

1. THE CAUSES OF THE PRESENT INCREASE ARE THE PERENNIAL ONES: UNEMPLOYMENT IN CHINA AND THE HOPE OF JOBS IN HONG KONG. EXACERBATING FACTORS HAVE BEEN A CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IN SHENZHEN AND MAJOR NEW INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN HONG KONG (THE NEW AIRPORT, TIN SHUI WAI NEW TOWN ETC.). 'SNAKEHEAD' INSPIRED RUMOURS CONTINUE TO FUEL FALSE EXPECTATIONS.

2. IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, WE COMPLETED A REVIEW OF OUR PROSECUTIONS POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS. IN ESSENCE WE CONSIDER THAT OUR PROSECUTIONS POLICY IS APPROPRIATE. BUT SOME SENTENCES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS ON EMPLOYERS HAVE BEEN INSUFFICIENTLY SEVERE TO BE DETERRENT. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS SELECTING FOR APPEAL A CASE WHERE A SENTENCE AGAINST SOMEONE CONVICTED OF EMPLOYING II'S APPEARS TO BE OVER-LENIENT. WE REMAIN OF THE VIEW THAT DISCOURAGING EMPLOYMENT OF II'S IS THE KEY TO LONG-TERM CONTROL.

3. APART FROM THAT, WE HAVE AGAIN REQUESTED NCNA AND THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO TIGHTEN BORDER CONTROLS IN SHENZHEN AND OTHER NEIGHBOURING COUNTIES IN THE HOPE OF REDUCING THE NUMBERS OF IIS REACHING HONG KONG.

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