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(b) this would not reduce the deterrent effect of the
closed centre policy. But this could be for discussion with the
Hong Kong Government and UNHCR nearer the time, if a decision
was taken in principle to accept more refugees.
What will happen to any refugees who are left in camps in Hong Kong in 1997?
25.
We naturally hope that this situation will not arise:
our aim is to ensure that all the refugees are resettled well
before then.
26.
The Vietnamese refugees who are at present in Hong Kong
are permitted to remain there under provision on Hong Kong's
if any Immigration Ordinance. We have no reason to suppose that, remain,
their status would change after 1997. (If pressed; The Hong Kong
agreement does not cover this matter specifically. It does
however provide for Hong Kong's existing laws to remain unchanged
after 1997. We shall be discussing the detailed implementation
of the agreement in the Sino-British Joint Liaison group which
will be established later this year, and which will continue
to meet until 1 January 2000).
Extension to Hong Kong of 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol
relating to the status of refugees
27.
Neither has been extended to Hong Kong. The 1951 Convention
was not extended to Hong Kong because of the territory's small
size and geographical vulnerability to mass illegal immigration. The 1967 protocol was applied only to those territories to which
the 1951 Convention was extended. The Hong Kong Government nevertheless cooperates fully with the Office of the UNHCR and
Hong Kong has, as I am sure you will agree, made a major
contribution to the international effort to assist Indo-
Chinese refugees.
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/28.