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  • Walter's Blog.
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  • Introduction
  • About Walter
    • 1980 Joining Up - Grafton Street >
      • Arrival and First Impressions
      • First Week
      • Training
      • Passing Out
    • Yaumati Cowboy >
      • Getting on the Streets
      • Tempo of the City
      • Jumpers, pill poppers and the indoor BBQ
      • Into a Minefield.
    • Why Tango in Paris, when you can Foxtrot in Kowloon? >
      • Baptism By Fire
      • Kai Tak with Mrs Thatcher.
      • Home; The Boy Returns
  • 1984 - 1986
    • PTU Instructor & Getting Hitched
    • Having a go: SDU
    • Starting a Chernobyl family
    • EOD - Don't touch anything
    • Semen Stains and the rules
  • 1987 to 1992 - Should I Stay or Go?
    • Blue Lights, Sirens & Grenades
    • Drugs, Broken Kids & A Plane Crash
    • 600 Happy Meals Please!
    • Hong Kong's Best Insurance
    • Riding the Iron Horse
  • Crime in Hong Kong
    • Falling Crime Rates - Why?
    • Triads
  • History of Hong Kong Policing
    • History 1841 to 1941
    • History 1945 to 1967
    • Anatomy of the 50 cent Riot - 1966
    • The Fall of a Commissioner.
    • History 1967 to 1980
    • Three Wise Men from the West
    • The Blue Berets.
    • The African Korps and other tribes.
    • Getting About - Transport.
    • A Pub in every station
    • Bullshit Bingo & Meetings
    • Godber - The one who nearly got away.
    • Uncle Ho
  • Top 20 Films
    • 2001 - A Space Odyssey.
    • The Godfather.
    • Blade Runner
    • Kes
    • Star Wars
    • Aliens
    • Ferris Bueller's Day Off
    • The Life of Brian
    • Dr Strangelove.
    • Infernal Affairs
    • Bridge on the River Kwai.
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    • An Officer and a Gentleman
    • PTU
    • Contact
    • Saving Private Ryan
    • Family Guy Star Wars
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Walter's Blog

"But how can you live and have no story to tell?" Fyodor Dostoevsky
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Reflections on recent events, plus the occasional fact free rant unfiltered by rational argument. 

"If you want to read a blog to get a sense of what is going on in Hong Kong these days or a blog that would tell you wh at life was like living in colonial Hong Kong, this blog, WALTER'S BLOG, fits the bill."  Hong Kong Blog Review

28/11/2021 6 Comments

Can Britain Secure the Border?

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"Immigration laws are the only laws that are discussed in terms of how to help people who break them."  Thomas Sowell
For decades, illegal immigrants entering the colony of Hong Kong faced an immediate return to the Mainland. Each morning trucks carried men and women back over the boundary at the Man Kam To crossing.

This policy, executed with ruthless efficiency, had the full cooperation of the Chinese government. It's worth noting that the British authorities gave scant consideration to refugee status and political asylum claims. 


Before the war, the regime was less strict, with people moving with relative ease into Hong Kong. But, in the late 1940s, as China convulsed through a period of instability, more people fled, making their way to Hong Kong. As a result, a crowded Hong Kong faced the prospect of overwhelming numbers pouring through the porous land boundary and sea routes. 

That all changed in 1951. In an attempt to stem the influx of people and the strain on Hong Kong, the government created the Frontier Closed Area. This initiative involved creating a restricted area, then installing a fence and watchtowers. The British army and the police guarded the boundary with patrols and ambush points. 

Although illegal immigration has long ceased to be a problem, a modern version of the fence still exists. The economic success of China removed the impulse to seek a new life overseas. Yet, decades after the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty, the fence is a reminder that this place remains separate and distinct.

By the time I took command of the Man Kam To sector in 1995, illegal immigration had waned to a trickle. On a few occasions, we encountered pregnant ladies seeking to have a child born in Hong Kong. They'd risk squeezing through holes in the fence to cross the narrow stream at the eastern end of the sector and enter Hong Kong even late in their pregnancy. 

Snakeheads, who organised these attempts, spread false stories that the family could remain if the child were born in Hong Kong. 

One of the more bizarre aspects of the British approach was the Touch Base Policy, which operated from 1974 until 1980. If the illegals made it south of Boundary Street, they could apply for an identity card to remain in Hong Kong. 

The Victoria Immigration Centre, on the site of the current Pacific Place, processed the applications. Those caught before getting south of Boundary Street faced repatriation to the Mainland. 

The authors of this policy displayed a perverse sense of fair play or sought to assuage guilt by giving the illegals a chance. Either way, typical English woolliness shaped the scheme that allowed plucky illegals the opportunity to win. In effect, they'd turned the dangerous business of seeking refuge into an early version of the 'Hunger Games'.

That all stopped on 24 October 1980. As the influx of illegal immigrants continued, the policy had failed. Henceforth all illegals faced an immediate return to the Mainland. Those already in Hong Kong had a three-day grace period to register, and the compulsory carrying of identity cards came in.

With London's approval, the colonial authorities proved willing to take tough decisions to safeguard Hong Kong society. Likewise, the leaders in Beijing recognised the importance of retaining Hong Kong as a valued asset. Thus, they pragmatically acquiesced in the policies of the colonial government. 

Contrast this to the unfolding events in the English Channel. Last week 27 people died attempting to cross this busy sea lane in a flimsy inflatable.

Hong Kong dampened the pull factors that attracted illegals by making it clear they'd go back. However, the situation in the Channel is far more complicated, and much more dangerous for those attempting to cross.

Whether the UK can agree a return arrangement with France, a supposed ally, remains a moot point. You must recognise that Brexit soured relations and other issues complicate matters, including access to fishing grounds. 

Moreover, the problem is not new. In 2018, as I cycled through Normandy, it was soon clear that thousands of young men of middle-eastern origin were loitering near the ports. They'd attempt to enter trucks heading to Britain.

As I came into the port of Ouistreham, the police and military had roadblocks and a cordon in place. Meanwhile, in the streets around the harbour, hundreds of young men waited their chance. The police soon chased down those who climbed the fence that secured the ferry boarding area.

Hamstrung by a raft of human rights laws, the UK cannot deport those screened-out as genuine refugees. Thus, the numbers prepared to risk everything will continue to grow. Then you have Border Force staff refusing to implement policies enacted by the government. 

The British need to ask themselves several questions. First, how many migrants are they are prepared to take? Factored into that is what is the potential for societal dislocation is due to high levels of immigration? Third, is the government prepared to take the tough decisions that will reduce the pull factors which attract immigrants? Lastly, does the country have the means to implement the policies it deems needed?

Once you establish controls, an orderly scheme to allow migrants to enter is possible. It’s madness to continue with the current confusion of policies, politics and relentless disputes with France that encourage illegal immigrants to take risks. 
​

I have no immediate solutions, Yet, don’t forget that Hong Kong's illegal immigration problem vanished as China prospered. So maybe if the West stopped bombing nations into submission and instead encouraged economic development, people wouldn't need to flee. 

For example, the war in Afghanistan has cost $2.3 trillion. That sort of money could lift the country and several of its neighbours out of poverty. Moreover, with decent living standards at home, people are less likely to make themselves migrants. Instead, rational choice theory suggests they'd opt to remain at home.

If there is one lesson to come out of this, it must be that Boris needs to take some tough decisions to secure the UK's borders and protect life. In the end, desperate people will always be tempted to have a go, and many could die if the system tacitly encourages them to try.

​If you have to be cruel to be kind, you must accept the unpleasantness that results from your cruelty. But, unfortunately, the unsettling truth of Britain's current approach to illegal immigrants is that society has decided to be kind to its conscience and thus unleashed new cruelty on those seeking to cross the Channel. 
6 Comments
Gloria Bing
1/12/2021 09:34:00 am

Some observations:

France is under an obligation in international law to provide asylum to anyone claiming to be asylum seekers, and asylum seekers are obliged to claim such asylum in the first safe country they enter. If anyone crossing the Channel from France claims to be an asylum seeker then in that instance France has failed in her legal obligation and UK would have every right to return such people to France forthwith. If, on the other hand, France claims they are refugees or economic migrants to whom they have no obligation or no right to stop, then that makes everyone crossing the Channel an illegal immigrant and therefore subject to removal to their country of origin or any other country willing to take them. It really only gets complicated when people - including governments - ignore the law.

The civil service in the UK has essentially staged a soft coup against the current government. The Border Force 'sentiment' is just one example. And example is what is needed: the stopping and/or removal of illegal immigrants is entirely legal and the Border Force is disobeying a lawful order. Anyone refusing to act, or who strikes on the grounds that they do not wish to obey a lawful order, should be fired and any senior member of management displaying the same fractious and sullen contempt for the law should be disciplined...and then fired.

Reply
Ian McPherson link
2/12/2021 02:49:53 pm

Once again I note your commentary with interest and I am familiar with the history, as regards Hong Kong, having worked there myself and particularly on the border on three occasions. 1980, 1993 and 1996.

I had an interesting discussion cum crossing of swords with an old friend about the UK situation. My view, put simply, was that the current influx of “illegal” refugees to the UK was not sustainable on many levels. I viewed it as being at breaking point already.

He, on the other hand, considered that the press had blown the whole thing out of context and there was plenty of room for all.

NOT comes to mind. The strain on the social service network would be immense and evidence of it almost collapsing under the onslaught has been broadcast on TV on many occasions. The loss of life on the seas of the channel only highlight and aggravate the whole dilemma.

As you intimated. The problem lies within the “despot” regimes these unfortunate people are fleeing. Until they are stabilised ( easier said than done ) then the problem will continue and continue and just seemingly burn on like a wild fire out of control.

Reply
Chris Emmett
2/12/2021 05:34:42 pm

Let’s not forget the Vietnamese boat people. If memory serves me right, at its peak little Hong Kong housed about 70,000 Vietnamese. The West would not accept a single one until they had been thoroughly vetted, the rationale being that Hong Kong was their port of first asylum. The current problem lies not only with France but primarily with those Southern European states that facilitate, and even encourage, cross-border migrant travel from their countries all the way to France. Where’s the European unity when it’s really needed? Back to France/UK. The dialogue between Boris and Macron doesn’t help. Boris: ‘Donne moi un break.’ Macron: ‘Il est un clown’. Meanwhile the problem rolls on unabated.

Reply
Willms
6/12/2021 12:38:01 am

@Gloria Bing, @Chris Emmet:

The "European Unity" brought about the "Schengen Accords" for a all-European asylum regime. It says that a refugee has to apply for asylum in the country he or she enters the European Union space. This is a nice rule for countries like Germany, which has land borders with 9 countries which are all and the sea borders to the North Sea and Baltic Sea look north from where refugees frm the countries which the "West" is treating like Walter said above:

>>
don’t forget that Hong Kong's illegal immigration problem vanished as China prospered. So maybe if the West stopped bombing nations into submission and instead encouraged economic development, people wouldn't need to flee.
<<

The only non-EU border of Germany is an airport. But airport arrivals are being tightly controlled.

The Dublin rules let Greece, Italy, and Spain as virtually the only countries where refugees enter from Asia or Africa. Greece has set up large camps on several of her islands off the Turkish coast, where refugees are being detained for ever. Those who actually apply for asylum in Greece and are accepted are left without any income on the streets of Athens.

Others try go get into the EU heartlands walking thru the Balkans; this worked for a large number in 2015, but Croatia and Hungary shut their borders. Bulgaria has fortified her border with Turkey several years before. A new Iron Curtain went down dividing Europe, with walls and barbed wire. See the recent trials to enter Poland from Belarus.

While France has a long coast line on the mediterranean, it is considered to be too far to be reached by boats from Libya. So, those who wait on the French northern coast have entered EU-Dublin territory somewhere else, and had made their way undetected.

The real thing about the current trials to cross the English Channel via little boats is that it took so many years for the mass of refugees to find out that the Channel is a body of water, and that it can be crossed on boats and not only hidden in trucks which cross the Channel on ferries or the Channel Tunnel.

Once the refugees have reached the island Great Britain, and leave the beach undetected, they disappear in the mass of earlier immigrants from the former British Empire speaking the language of the land,, and are protected by the English democratic rule, that people have not to register with the police, as is the rule in most countries on the European mainland.

Let me add 2 notes:
1. Remember the tragedy of the large group of Vietnamese who travelled from Zeebrugge (Belgium) in a container to a container port in the Themse estuary, and but arrived suffocated in the cooling container whith airtight doors.

2. Al Jazeera International is currently reporting about Cubans who arrive in Greece, but are refused air trip to Germany or so, although Greece is inside the Schengen area, i.e. free movement without border controls.. Cubans can fly visa-free to Russia, and from there to Serbia. The Aljazeera correspondent presented one Cuban who said he had walked from Belgrade (Serbia) to Greece. He doesnt want to apply for asylum in Greece, since then he would be but in one of the detention centers for refugees.

The world is a cage...

Reply
Chris Emmett
6/12/2021 03:06:47 pm

Thanks this very interesting post, Willms.

Reply
willms
13/12/2021 09:54:29 pm

As to the story of the Cubans stranded in Greece, one has to know that the US Embassy in Havanna does no longer issue visas for Cubans. They stopped at least four years ago.

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    Walter De Havilland was one of the last of the colonial coppers. He served 35 years in the Royal Hong Kong Police and Hong Kong Police Force. He's long retired. 

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