Despite falling numbers of illegal Mainland immigrants, enforcement action against them remains a Force priority.

That was the message from Director of Operations Dick Lee Ming-kwai who met with Mainland officials in Shenzhen on March 3.

He led a Force delegation of four other senior officers to meet counterparts including Guangdong Border Defence Bureau Director Lin Jieyuan, to discuss the latest situation on illegal immigration.

The officers were Marine Regional Commander Foo Tsun-kong, Border District Commander Chiu Hon-bun, Operations Wing Senior Superintendent Suen Kwai-leung and Assistant Border Liaison Officer David Yip Kin-chau.

Mr Lee said the number of IIs arrested had decreased over the past six years.

"Some 12,170 IIs were arrested last year, a daily average of 33. This represented a decrease of 16.7 per cent when compared with 14,613 arrests made in 1998," Mr Lee said, adding 663 IIs were arrested last month representing a daily average of 23, the lowest monthly figure since 1989. He thanked Mr Lin and Bureau officers for their co-operation which has resulted in the fall.

Referring to action against IIs hiding underneath vehicles, Mr Lee said various transportation associations had been advised to consider installing metal bars underneath their trailers. About 3,000 leaflets were also distributed recently to container drivers at three border checkpoints.

Vietnamese IIs were also discussed at the meeting, with Mr Lee reiterating the Local Resettlement Scheme for Vietnamese refugees would not apply to VIIs.

"Police will continue to take enforcement action against illegal immigration and all IIs will be arrested and repatriated," he said.

Mr Lin indicated full support from his Bureau through concerted efforts on both land and sea boundaries. However, he raised concerns on the problem of illegal entry into Mainland waters by Hong Kong residents. He hoped Hong Kong people would observe regulations and stressed Mainland authorities would increase action against such activities. In this respect, Mr Lee agreed the Hong Kong side would increase intelligence exchange with the Bureau.





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