TNAG-2790-FCO40-4029-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1993 — Page 67

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China interest*

UK

interest*

Issue

Objective/explanation

Secretary for Security (Cont'd)

Legal Immigration from China

There is pressure on us to increase the 75-a-day quota, especially as Hong Kong's population is now otherwise generally stable. The priority would be the estimated 75,000 children, who were born in China but who will automatically qualify for right of abode in HK in 1997, according to an interpretation of Article

24 (2) (3) of the Basic Law agreed at the JIG. Separately, there is

also a need to loosen the historically tight rules which discriminate against the entry of professionals and managers from China (unless they work for PRC companies) as against those from elsewhere.

Present status/progress

ExCo has approved the proposal of increasing the quota from the present 75 a day to 100 a day to cater in particular for the '1997 children'/family reunion cases. We are now discussing with the Chinese Government. ExCo has also approved the launching of a pilot scheme to allow up to 1,000 managers or professionals from China to be employed in local companies.

CONFIDENTIAL ##

X

CONFIDENTIAL #*

E