TNAG-2951-FCO40-4228-Hong-Kong-visa-free-travel-for-British-Nationals-(Overseas)--1993 — Page 154

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YOUR TELNO 720: EC VISA REGIMES FOR BDTCS/BN (0)S

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THER SUGGESTION THAT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA USE HONG KONG AS A SPRINGBOARD INTO EUROPE WOULD ONLY HAVE RELEVANCE TO THE CURRENT ISSUE IF SUCH ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CARRIED FORGED BDTC/BN(0) PASSPORTS. BUT SUCH CASES ARE VERY RARE.

2. MANY MAINLAND CHINESE TRAVELLING TO OTHER COUNTRIES DO TRANSIT THROUGH HONG KONG (100,000 LAST YEAR). HOWEVER, WE HAVE A WELL- DESERVED REPUTATION IN THE REGION FOR TOUGH AND EFFICIENT IMMIGRATION CONTROLS WHICH ACT AS A DETERRENT TO WOULD-BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. WE HAVE ALSO RECENTLY REINFORCED CONTROLS ON PERSONS IN DIRECT TRANSIT WHO REMAIN AIRSIDE, TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG IS NOT USED AS A TRANSIT POINT FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

3. IT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA BOUND FOR EUROPE PREFER TO TRAVEL OVERLAND THROUGH RUSSIA. INDEED, IT IS THE LACK OF CONTROLS ON THAT ROUTE WHICH ARE THE CAUSE OF THE CURRENT PROBLEMS.

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LEGAL ADVISERS//MS BROOKS PS/MR GOODLAD

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