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A
SPEAKING NOTE FOR USE AT AD HOC VISA WORKING GROUP MEETING
IN BRUSSELS, 21/22 SEPTEMBER, 1993
Member States were invited at the May meeting to supply
information relevant to the concerns of some member countries
that Chinese migration to Europe was increasing. I would
like to make a statement addressing suggestions that Hong
Kong is used as a staging post for Europe by illegal
immigrants.
Would like to reassure Member States that Hong Kong has
tough and efficient immigration controls which act as a deterrent to would-be illegal immigrants. The effectiveness of these measures is recognised widely in the region.
Wrong to confuse movement of illegitimate travellers with that of mainland Chinese travelling legitimately to other
countries and transiting Hong Kong (100,000 such travellers
last year).
Invite Member States tonote that Hong Kong has recently reinforced controls onpersons in direct transit who remain airside to ensure that the Territory is not used as a
transit point for illegal immigrants.
- Seems likely that illegal immigrants from China bound for Europe prefer to travel overland through Russia, where there is a lack of the sort of controls applied by Hong Kong.
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Request Member States to note that the only travellers from Hong Kong eligible to enter some European countries without visas are British Dependent Territory Citizens and British Nationals (Overseas). These travellers are people who have
had to go through the rigorous procedures necessary to acquire British passports. They have a record of good behaviour and of paying their way. They are returnable to
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