ENG-1980 — Page 204

11

事入

旅務境

逰和

Immigration and Tourism

IN 1980 the problems created by the massive inflow of illegal immigrants from China overshadowed all other immigration issues and showed no sign of easing. Therefore, as the year drew to a close and to counter what was becoming a grave threat to Hong Kong's way of life - the government made a major change in its policy. From October 23, no illegal immigrant from China was to be allowed to remain in Hong Kong. Those already here were given three days in which to register for an identity card and new legisla- tion was enacted to deter others from coming.

Prior to this, the last change in the policy had been in 1974, when the practice of allowing all immigrants from China to remain was ended; from then on, those arrested on arrival were repatriated. However, all others who evaded capture and subsequently reached base', that is, gained a home with relatives or otherwise found proper accommodation, were permitted to stay. Not only was there a reluctance to remove those who had established themselves here, there was also apprehension over the prospect that further pursuit might lead to the creation of an illegal community - one whose members would be compelled to live on the fringe of society and be drawn to crime as a means of survival. In the following three years, the implementation of this dual policy brought no major difficulties – about 6,000 illegal immigrants from China were reaching base every year and were being absorbed without strain. But 1978 saw a change. With the new, more liberal environment in China, the greater freedom of movement there and the increase in contacts with the rest of the world, those living in the communes were not only able to see the attractions of Hong Kong more clearly but also found it easier to reach the border. The rise in numbers entering the territory was dramatic:

Year

1977

1978

1979

1980 (Jan-Oct)

Arrested on Arrival and

1

Repatriated

1,800

8,200

89,900

80,500

י

Evaded Capture

and Remained

(Estimated)

Total

6,600

8,400

28,100

36,300

107,700

197,600

69,500

150,000

The Royal Hong Kong Police Force and HM Forces in Hong Kong responded vig- orously to this challenge. Their personnel were redeployed; reinforcements were sent from the United Kingdom; the command and control systems were improved; a substantial fence was built along the land border and a wide range of new technical devices were brought into use. The capture figures demonstrate what was achieved: whereas in 1978,