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Page No. 9 of 11 pages
31.
Information about punishments being imposed since the beginning of the year continues to show that they are not generally as severe as first indicated in the announcements by the authorities. In practice they vary widely according to local policies, to the attitude of commune cadres and to the influence possessed by the escaper's friends and relatives. The first time escaper is in general being sentenced to about 15 days' detention. Although the threat of punishment may still be having some deterrent effect, this is likely to diminish as it becomes known that the punishments are relatively light.
32.
A heavy sentence of 15 years imprisonment was imposed on a cadre who had been organising escapes over a long period as well as committing other offences, including smuggling. He himself had eventually escaped to Hong Kong but was returned to China under powers provided in the Immigration Ordinance.
From Vietnam
33.
A total of 426 persons in 10 boats reached Hong Kong in March as against 157 in 5 boats in February. The March figure was the highest since September 1979. All but 5 of the refugees were ethnic Vietnamese from Central Vietnam, mainly fishermen and their families, former soldiers and government officials and young men evading call-up.
.34.
There have been no developments to suggest any imminent change in policy on the part of the Vietnamese Government. However, many ethnic Chinese in Southern Vietnam continue to wait for departure overseas either through legal channels direct to foreign countries, via the UN Orderly Departure Scheme, or by organised boat departure. They are believed to have paid a registration fee to the Public Security before the moratorium began and those in towns in Central Vietnam have been put on lists for boats anchored in the rivers or harbours. The PS are reported to have advised the Chinese to be patient and wait for permission to depart but some now are becoming impatient over the continued delay and are attempting to escape with groups of ethnic Vietnamese, or else make their way overland through Cambodia to Thailand. Money agents in Hong Kong continue active.
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/ para 35.