What was the attitude of the
Hong Kong government towards
the migrants from the mainland?
Before mid-1970s
Before WWII, people were free to travel across the
border.
In 1945, the population of HK was 600,000.
At the end of 1950, the civil war in the mainland led to
influx of migrants to Hong Kong. The population
increased to 2.3 million.
In 1950, the HK government unilaterally imposed
restrictions due to the enormous inflow of people. PRC
government protested on the ground that Hong Kong was
part of China. Ultimately, an agreement was reached.
Migrants approved by the mainland would be allowed to
stay in Hong Kong, while the mainland government would
set quotas on the number of migrants.
 In 1962, another large-scale migration happened.
 The “Touch Base Policy” was introduced in 1974－
people who had reached the urban areas were
allowed to stay. 6,000 people reached HK
successfully every year at that time (1977).
 In 1978, another wave of illegal migration started.
During the first eight months of 1980, 91,000
people came from the mainland.
 In Oct 1980, the Touch Base Policy was abolished
since 450 people fled to HK every day.

Most of the migrants from the mainland
during 1950s-1970s were young men
coming from the coastal area of
Guangdong province. They became cheap
labour force at that time.
Touch Base Policy


According to the Touch Base Policy
implemented in November 1974, Hong Kong
Government allowed the illegal migrants from
the mainland to stay if they had reached the
urban areas and met their HK relatives.
Those who were intercepted at the boundary
would be repatriated back to the mainland
immediately.
“Touch Base” is a term from softball.

In 1950, the HK government unilaterally
imposed restrictions due to the enormous
inflow of people. The PRC government
protested on the ground that Hong Kong was
part of China. Ultimately, an agreement was
reached. Migrants approved by the mainland
would be allowed to stay in Hong Kong, while
the mainland government would set quotas
on the number of migrants.
Repatriation Upon Arrest

As the problem of illegal migrants was getting
serious, the HK government decided to
abandon the Touch Base Policy from 24
October, 1980. Illegal migrants who reached
HK on or before 23 October 1980 were allowed
to register for a Hong Kong identity card in a
grace period of 3 days (24-26 October). Those
arriving on or after 24 October were repatriated
immediately.
In 1970s, a large number of illegal migrants fled to HK.

People lined up
outside the Chinese
Extension of Stay
Section of the
Immigration
Department at
Admiralty, waiting
for the registration
for ID Cards.
Police arresting illegal migrants along hill tracks.

In Nov 1974, a Senior Immigration Officer, riding on
a government vehicle, sent the illegal migrants
intercepted at the boundary back to the mainland for
the first time.
HK Government
Measure of Repatriation Upon Arrest
October 1980

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZogUPS3H
BUk
Enacting new Ordinance against
Illegal Migration



The Government enacted ordinance to prohibit the
employment of illegal migrants and employees with
effect from 28 October 1980.
In order to further deter illegal migration, laws were
passes to require every person of age 15 or above and
the holder of an identity card to carry the proof of his/her
identity at all times, and to produce it for inspection when
required.
The measures imposed by the Immigration Department
to combat illegal migrants were effective. The number of
illegal migrants decreased dramatically.

Immigration officers often went to factories and
construction sites for inspections to combat illegal
migrants.

A poster produced by the
Immigration Department,
reminding the citizens to
bring along valid proof of
identity at all times.
Discussion topics:
1.
2.
Why did the HK government adopt the
Touch Base Policy before 1980? ( Hint:
consider the economic development in
Hong Kong at that time)
Why did the HK government abandon the
Touch Base Policy and adopt Repatriation
Upon Arrest after 1980? (Hint: consider the
problems brought by illegal migrants to HK
at that time)
1. Why did the HK government adopt the
Touch Base Policy before 1980?

The attitude of the HK government
towards the migrants from the
mainland was open. Most of them
were young males coming from the
coastal area of Guangdong province.
They were diligent and less
demanding, thus providing cheap
labour force to HK.
2. Why did the HK government abandon the
Touch Base Policy and adopt Repatriation Upon
Arrest after 1980?

The government lost budget balance over the
construction of public utilities due to the massive
migrated population. During 1970s, the government
planning was based on the assumption of 2% of
population growth per year. However, between 1978
and1980, the population increased by 5% each year.

Housing Problem: according to the Census of 1981,
700,000 people were still living in squatters and most
of them were migrants who came to HK after 1976.

Social problem, law and order: Most
migrants from the mainland were male.
During 1980s and 1990s, the ratio of male
to female was 4:1, and the men had
difficulties in finding spouses. Some
scholars believed that this was the cause
for pornographic business in Portland
Street. After 1990s, many men had to find
spouses in the mainland. This led to a
series of social problems.

Education problem: The influx of migrants into Hong
Kong led to the shortage in number of schools and
school places. Many children were deprived of the
chance for education. In 1947, the government
announced Grant Code to reinforce control over schools.
Also, a Ten year Plan was proposed in 1950 to provide
enough school places for children of the right age in 10
years. This plan was abandoned due to the change of
regime in the mainland. Continuous population growth
exerted great pressure on the supply of school places,
premises and teachers.
After 1980s

In 1983, the mainland and HK government set a
quota of 75 people as legal migrants from the
mainland.

In Nov 1993, the quota increased to 105.

On 1 Jul 1995, the quota increased to 150.

After 1980s, 80%-90% of migrants from the
mainland were women and children who came for
family re-union.
Source:



黃洪博士（香港中文大學，社會工作學系助理教
授），3.2002
Hong Kong Immigration Department
http://www.immd.gov.hk/40/chi/mil/80s/index.html
亞洲電視新聞部資訊科《解密百年香港》； 香港：
明報出版社；2007。
END