CONFIDENTIAL
VISIT TO SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM AND HONG KONG: 1-11 AUGUST 1988
1.
I visited Hanoi from 3-8 August for the first round of negotiations with the Vietnamese Government on a scheme for repatriating Hong Kong boat people. I also had extensive discussions with Vietnamese officals on the international scene, the prospects for our bilateral relations, and the state of Vietnam's economy. I was able to talk at length to members of the diplomatic community, including the Soviet and Chinese Chargé d'Affaires and local representatives of UNDP, UNICEF and UNHCR (full list at Annex). Before departure I briefed ASEAN and EC Ambassadors, gave interviews to two Hong Kong television channels, the Hong Kong Standard and AFP. I also briefed James Miles of the BBC.
2.
On the return leg, I spent an intensive day in Hong Kong seeing for myself the problems which the influx of boat people, and the lack of a repatriation scheme, are causing the Hong Kong Government. I spent half a day on the border between the New Territories and China examining the stringent arrangements for preventing illegal immigration across the frontier and for returning those caught to the Chinese authorities within 48 hours. The contrast between the treatment of the Vietnamese boat people and Chinese illegal immigrants (many of whom have relatives in Hong Kong) was instructive.
3.
I am most grateful to the Embassy in Hanoi, especially to Colin Partridge, and to the Hong Kong Government for such a comprehensive* and interesting programme.
VIETNAM
First Impressions
4.
I arrived in Hanoi from Bangkok which I last knew as a Second Secretary in the Embassy from 1968 to 1971. The extent to which Bangkok has subsequently developed is staggering. Indeed the first landmark which I positively recognised was the Embassy flagpole, so complete is the transformation. The contrast with Hanoi could not be
*Note: I remarked on the absence of a call on the International Department of the CPV Central Committee Secretariat in Hanoi (which would be routine during an
CONFIDENTIAL
CA2AIU